Which part of a gas furnace allows air to blend with the products of combustion?

The draft diverter plays a crucial role in a gas furnace by ensuring that combustion products are appropriately vented while allowing for a mix of combustion gases and the surrounding air. This action serves to maintain a proper draft and help safely expel gases such as carbon monoxide outside the home.

While the heat exchanger is vital for transferring heat from the combustion gases to the air that circulates through the home, it does not blend air with combustion products. Instead, it isolates those products to prevent direct contact with the air that is heated. The blower compartment houses the fan that circulates the heated air throughout the living space, but it does not facilitate the mixing of air with combustion gases. The combustion chamber is where the gas is burned and heat is generated, but again, it is not where the blending of air with combustion products occurs.

The role of the draft diverter in managing airflow and maintaining safety standards in the venting process is fundamental to a gas furnace's operation.