Natural-Draft vs Forced-Draft Burners

Last updated on October 15th, 2025 at 10:02 am

Burners are immensely impactful equipment across multiple industries. They are used in the production, transport, and refinement of all sorts of products we use in our daily lives. They are especially valuable in the oil and gas industry, where they are involved in upstream, midstream, and downstream processes.

One of their key functions is in creating products like gasoline and other fuel oils through hydrocarbon production. Burners also play multiple roles in hydrocarbon processing and refinement.

In oil and gas refineries these heaters are involved in separation, dehydration, and compression. To accomplish this myriad of important tasks, there are two basic types of burner; forced-draft and natural-draft.

What are Natural-Draft Burners?

Natural-draft burners operate by a simple concept, which is to utilize the flow of air by the difference in density that’s caused by hot flue gases and the cooler ambient air. They function without any power source, supplementing the flow of air, as the flue gases rise through the chimney or stack, and this creates a draft that pulls in fresh air into the combustion chamber.

Because there are no mechanical components, natural-draft burners are simple, inexpensive and have minimal maintenance. They often are found in low-capacity applications like residential heating, and other applications that do not require precise airflow control.

Since the natural-draft burner uses atmospheric pressure and relies on the buoyancy of the flue gases to create the draft, the efficiency can be diminished based on the environmental pressure. However, they are more simply designed, and therefore have more limited operational issues with energy costs.

What are Forced-Draft Burners?

Conversely, forced-draft burners utilize electrically driven fans or blowers, or similar energy source-driven fans or blowers, to actively push air or combustion gases into the burner system. These features provide superior control of airflow and combustion pressure, and subsequently, greater efficiency and more stable operation.

The induced draft capability affords the air draft operation regardless of environmental conditions allowing for use in high-capacity and industrial applications. Examples of these uses include in-power plants, oil refineries, and large boilers. Forced-draft burners supply controlled air which leads to improved fuel-air mixing, superior combustion, and improved emissions control.

Even though these burners are complex and require more maintenance compared to natural-draft burners, the costs of increased inefficiency and reliability is routinely worth the initial and operating costs.

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Differences Between Natural and Forced-Draft Burners

Pressure

Forced-draft burners function use power to create their own ambient conditions. This allows them to create more pressure, and have greater control over it. This burner type keeps air/flue gases above the atmospheric pressure. This pressure facilitates the flow of the gases through the burner. Natural-draft burners, by contrast, do not create their own pressure. So their air/flue gases use the density of ambient gases to create flow.

Cost

A natural-draft burner is a much less complex piece of equipment. They have a simple design and fewer moving parts. This makes them a more cost-effective solution. As well, the lack of need to create pressure means savings on energy costs.

Efficiency

While natural is cheaper, forced-draft burners are far more efficient. Oil and gas processing operations often find their efficiency outweighs their cost-effectiveness. Their greater degree of control furthers this benefit. They are not bound by atmospheric and ambient conditions. Thus reducing delays or unscheduled downtime.

Simplicity

The simpler design of natural-draft burners goes beyond making them more cost-effective. It also reduces maintenance requirements, reduces risk of failure, and results in fewer repairs. In this way, natural burners can also be effective at avoiding unscheduled downtime.

Access to Power

The cost, access, and availability of power can also determine the best burner type. In remote locations, for instance, power sources may be more limited, more expensive, or less reliable. In these instances, natural burners may be a better solution.

Compatibility With Electric Heaters

Another important consideration in selecting a burner is it’s compatibility. As industries are rapidly adopting the advantages of electric heaters, it is becoming essential to make sure equipment functions with them.

In this instance, both forced-draft and natural-draft burners are compatible with electric heaters. Electricity is a versatile energy source. Not only does it work well with a variety of equipment, it also is compatible with emerging energy sources like wind, solar, and battery.

Natural-draft burners and forced-draft burners varies by how they supply the air for combustion. Natural-draft burners depends on the natural flow of the air. It is simple, cost-efficient, and used in low-capacity applications such as residential heating which is harder to control and less efficient.

Forced-draft burners supply air using fans or blowers which control the airflow and combustion. They are highly efficient and can handle the high capacity processes in power plants and large boilers. They offer better control and emissions management.

Electric Heater Quotes

Wattco custom manufactures electric heaters and heating equipment for all major industries and applications. Our engineers work with you to select everything from the right burner type, to heater materials, settings, and configurations. All specifically matched to your projects needs and budget.

Contact Wattco today for electric heater quotes and information