A furnace orifice is a small aperture or hole that controls the flow of gas in a gas furnace. The orifice is typically located in the burner assembly, where it regulates the amount of gas that is allowed to mix with air and be ignited in the combustion chamber.
The orifice may become clogged with debris or corrosion, which can negatively impact the performance of the furnace. In these cases, it may be necessary to clean or replace thegas orifice in order to restore proper operation.
Some of the common signs of a clogged or malfunctioning orifice can include:
Reduced airflow
Decrease in overall heating performance
Flame roll-out or flame impingement
Carbon monoxide leaks
Abnormal sounds or vibrations while furnace is running
If you are experiencing any of these issues with your furnace, it is important to contact a professional HVAC technician to have the gas orifice inspected and, if necessary, cleaned or replaced.