What type of heat exchanger is commonly used in residential furnaces?

In residential furnaces, a direct or indirect fired heat exchanger is commonly used because it efficiently transfers heat from the combustion process to the air that is circulated throughout the home. This type of heat exchanger allows for optimal heat transfer while minimizing losses, ensuring that the furnace operates effectively to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature.

Direct-fired heat exchangers utilize combustion gases directly to heat the air, while indirect-fired heat exchangers use a barrier to separate combustion gases from the air, providing safety and improving indoor air quality. The method of heat exchange in residential furnaces is crucial to their performance, and this design is well-suited for the specific requirements of home heating, providing a balance between efficiency, safety, and comfort.

Other types of heat exchangers like flat plate, shell and tube, or micro-channel heat exchangers are generally seen in different applications or industries and may not be as effective or practical for residential furnace use. Each of these alternatives serves specific purposes but does not align as closely with the heating demands and operational constraints of a typical residential heating system.