The furnace is still one of the preferred heating systems among many households today. They can last for up to 20 years. Newer models can even last longer than the typical lifespan of older ones and they are more cost-efficient, too.
How The Gas Furnace Came About
The original furnace, which was gas powered, was invented by Alice H. Parker. In 1919, during winter, Parker came up with the idea for the very first gas furnace in Morristown, New Jersey. Before this year, there was no central heating mechanism invented or even designed. Households were heated by individual fireplaces in each room. This form of heating was ineffective and bothersome since keeping a fireplace lit all day and night called for an enormous amount of wood or coal. People also have to keep feeding the fire wood or coal so that it would keep the room warm. In addition, the only way to keep warm was to stay very close to the fireplace itself – an impractical method especially when sleeping.
Because of these issues and inconveniences, Parker came up with a patented design for a single-source, gas-fired furnace. Her patent was officially accepted on December 23, 1919. In Parker’s original designs, she drew a series of furnaces, each attached to an air duct that would lead to a single room. She also included adjustable vents that in theory would allow the homeowner to control how much heat entered a room.
Unfortunately, Parker’s exact prototype was never implemented since it was deemed unsafe to regulate the heat flow. However, it is still credited as the first conception of central heating. Without Parker’s idea and original patent, the thermostat or the forced-air furnace would never have been developed.
Info source: www.ventwerx.com
How The Gas Furnace Came About
The original furnace, which was gas powered, was invented by Alice H. Parker. In 1919, during winter, Parker came up with the idea for the very first gas furnace in Morristown, New Jersey. Before this year, there was no central heating mechanism invented or even designed. Households were heated by individual fireplaces in each room. This form of heating was ineffective and bothersome since keeping a fireplace lit all day and night called for an enormous amount of wood or coal. People also have to keep feeding the fire wood or coal so that it would keep the room warm. In addition, the only way to keep warm was to stay very close to the fireplace itself – an impractical method especially when sleeping.
Because of these issues and inconveniences, Parker came up with a patented design for a single-source, gas-fired furnace. Her patent was officially accepted on December 23, 1919. In Parker’s original designs, she drew a series of furnaces, each attached to an air duct that would lead to a single room. She also included adjustable vents that in theory would allow the homeowner to control how much heat entered a room.
Unfortunately, Parker’s exact prototype was never implemented since it was deemed unsafe to regulate the heat flow. However, it is still credited as the first conception of central heating. Without Parker’s idea and original patent, the thermostat or the forced-air furnace would never have been developed.
Info source: www.ventwerx.com
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