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From: brian@sdcc3.UUCP (Brian Kantor)
Newsgroups: net.consumers
Subject: Re: Heat without electricity
Message-ID: <2657@sdcc3.UUCP>
Date: Sun, 3-Feb-85 12:43:06 EST
Article-I.D.: sdcc3.2657
Posted: Sun Feb  3 12:43:06 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 7-Feb-85 02:36:48 EST
References: <7946@brl-tgr.ARPA>
Distribution: net
Organization: UCSD wombat breeding society
Lines: 26

> In the light of the recent postings about automatic thermostats, I have
> a question about the operation of gas-fired furnaces when there is no 
> electricity due to power interruptions.
> 
> However, for gas-fueled hot water or steam systems
> which do not use a pump, the ONLY function of electricity is to run the
> thermostat. 

In many systems in which the gas burner is near the thermostat (internal
thermostats such as in water boilers, pool heaters, etc), there is a
thermoelectric generator running off the pilot flame which provides
enough power to operate the gas valves.  If the thermostat were at some
distance from the burner, the electrical resistance of the wires to the
thermostat would play a significant part.

And if your furnace is one of those that uses a high-voltage spark to
ignite the burners instead of a pilot light, you're out of luck with the
power off.

	Brian Kantor	UC San Diego

	decvax\ 	brian@ucsd.arpa
	akgua  >---  sdcsvax  --- brian
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``You unlock this door with the key of imagination...''