In which type of appliance is a barometric draft control typically used?

A barometric draft control is primarily used in fuel oil appliances to regulate the draft in the combustion system. These devices help maintain optimal airflow by automatically adjusting to changes in pressure. In fuel oil systems, it's essential to manage the draft properly since improper airflow can lead to inefficient combustion, increased emissions, and potential safety hazards, such as backdrafting or flue gas spillage.

By incorporating barometric draft control, fuel oil appliances can achieve balanced combustion, ensuring that there is enough oxygen for the fuel to burn completely while also preventing excessive airflow that could cool the flue gases, thus enhancing efficiency. This is particularly crucial in maintaining safe operation and compliance with environmental regulations.

Other types of appliances, such as natural gas and electric systems, typically do not utilize barometric draft controls because they operate under different combustion principles and mechanisms. For example, electric heating systems do not involve combustion processes, while gas appliances often use different venting methods that negate the need for such devices. Wood-burning stoves may have their own draft control methods, but they usually don’t rely on barometric controls in the same manner that fuel oil appliances do.