REMOVABLE DRIP PAN HEAT SHIELD FOR HEAT EXCHANGER COIL

Abstract

A system is disclosed for use in a ventilation cabinet about a furnace. The system includes a heat exchanger coil having a bottom directed toward the furnace being configured to received air from the furnace, a drip pan disposed at the bottom of the heat exchanger coil so as to catch condensed water from the heat exchanger coil, and a heat shield including a unitary sheet metal body configured to be inserted between the drip pan and the furnace.

Description

FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to heating systems and more particularly to heat shields for drip pans of heat exchanger coils in ventilation heating systems.

BACKGROUND

FIG. 1 illustrates a typical ventilation heating system 100. The ventilation heating system 100 may include a lower ventilation cabinet 102, an upper ventilation cabinet 104, a furnace/blower 106, an indoor coil 108, a drip pan 110, a heat shield 112, and a water output line 114. The lower ventilation cabinet 102 may house the furnace/blower 106. The upper ventilation cabinet 104 may be disposed above the lower ventilation cabinet 102 and house an indoor coil 108, the drip pan 110, and the heat shield 112. The water output line 114 may be configured to drain water from the drip pan 110 to outside of the upper ventilation cabinet 104 (e.g., to a drain or the like).

The furnace/blower 106 may be any type of heating/blowing system that is configured to operate in a heating mode or a non-heating (e.g., cooling) mode. In a heating mode of operation, the furnace/blower 106 may be configured to generate hot air and move the generated hot air. Some example furnace/blowers may include a gas-fired or electric heating element heater in combination with an electric fan. In a non-heating mode of operation, the furnace/blower 106 may be configured to move air.

In either mode of operation, air may be supplied from a ventilation duct to the ventilation heating system 100, as shown by arrow 116. In the heating mode, the furnace/blower 106 may heat the air supplied from the ventilation duct and output heated air to the indoor coil 108 through an airflow hole 118, as shown by arrow 120. Similarly, in the non-heating mode, the furnace/blower 106 may be configured to not heat the air, but instead move the air supplied from the ventilation duct and output the air to the indoor coil 108 through the airflow hole 118, as shown by the arrow 120.

In the heating mode, air supplied from the furnace/blower 106 may be passed through the non-operating indoor coil 108, and the air entering the indoor coil 108 may be substantially the same temperature as the air leaving the indoor coil 108. In the non-heating mode, the air supplied from the furnace/blower 106 may be passed through the operating heat exchanger coils, and the air may be cooled. The cooling of the air may create condensation on the indoor coil 108. Eventually, the condensation may build up sufficiently that water may drip down from the indoor coil 108. The drip pan 110 may be configured to collect water dripping from the indoor coil 108 and evacuated the collected water from the system via the water output line 114.

Conventionally, the drip pan 110 may be made of plastic, such as, for example, a nylon-based injection molded plastic or a thermosetting polymer (i.e., a thermoset). The heat shield 112 may be disposed between the furnace/blower 106 and the drip pan 110 in order to protect the drip pan 110 from the intense heat generated by the furnace/blower 106. In particular, the ventilation heating system 100 may include a thermostat shut-off which may be configured to shut down the system in the event that an internal temperature surpasses a predetermined temperature. This is a fail safe to prevent a fire in case of a faulty operation. However, in the event that the ventilation heating system 100 has a faulty operation, in which the temperature increases over the predetermined temperature, the heat shield 112 may be provided to thermally protect the drip pan 110. Nevertheless, in some cases, the heat shield 112 and the drip pan 110 may need to be replaced as a result of overheating.

FIG. 2 illustrates a combination heat shield drip pan 200. The combination heat shield drip pan 200 may include a plastic drip pan 202 and a metal heat shield 204. Both the plastic drip pan 202 and the metal heat shield 204 may be shaped so as to have an airflow hole 206 therethrough. The airflow hole 206 may correspond to the airflow hole 118 of FIG. 1.

Typically, the combination heat shield drip pan 200 may be supplied by a manufacturer. In this manner, when either the drip pan portion or the heat shield portion is in need of replacement, the entire combination heat shield drip pan 200 is typically replaced. Further, in order to replace the combination heat shield drip pan 200, as shown in FIG. 1, the indoor coil 108 may be removed from the upper ventilation cabinet 104 to gain access to the damaged drip pan 110 and the heat shield 112. Removing the indoor coil 108 can be labor intensive, thus increasing the labor costs to replace either a damaged drip pan 110 and/or a damaged heat shield 112.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings. In some instances, the use of the same reference numerals may indicate similar or identical items. Various embodiments may utilize elements and/or components other than those illustrated in the drawings, and some elements and/or components may not be present in various embodiments. Throughout this disclosure, depending on the context, singular and plural terminology may be used interchangeably.

FIG. 1 illustrates a ventilation heating system.

FIG. 2 illustrates a combination heat shield drip pan.

FIG. 3 illustrates a ventilation heating system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates a heat shield installed in the upper ventilation cabinet of the ventilation heating system of FIG. 3 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom view of the heat shield installed in the upper ventilation cabinet of the ventilation heating system of FIG. 4 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6A illustrates a front view of the heat shield of the ventilation heating system of FIG. 3 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6B illustrates a top view of the heat shield of FIG. 6A in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6C illustrates a side view of the heat shield of FIG. 6A in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective bottom view of the upper ventilation cabinet of the ventilation heating system of FIG. 3 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates an enlarged view of a portion of the upper ventilation cabinet of the ventilation heating system FIG. 7 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates an enlarged view of a bottom view of a portion of the upper ventilation cabinet of the ventilation heating system FIG. 7 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a ventilation heating system is disclosed herein. The ventilation heating system may include a heat shield that can be replaced without removing the heat exchanger coils. For example, in certain embodiments, the heat shield is separated from the drip pan. In some instances, the heat shield may be slid into the upper ventilation cabinet that houses the heat exchanger coils to be disposed between the drip pan and the furnace/blower (terms used interchangeably herein). In this way, if the heat shield is damaged, the heat shield may easily be removed by sliding the damaged heat shield out from the upper ventilation cabinet without removing the heat exchanger coils. More so, in accordance with one or more embodiments, a damaged heat shield may be replaced without removing, or even moving, the drip pan. In this manner, the labor cost associated with replacing a damaged heat shield may be greatly reduced.

Turning now to the drawings, an example ventilation heating system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 3-9.

FIG. 3 illustrates a ventilation heating system 300 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In certain embodiments, the ventilation heating system 300 may include a lower ventilation cabinet 302, an upper ventilation cabinet 304, an indoor coil 306, a drip pan 307, and a heat shield 308. In some instances, the heat shield 308 may be formed of a unitary sheet metal body that includes an airflow hole 310 and an airflow hole 312.

In certain embodiments, the indoor coil 306 forms an “N coil” set of heat exchanger coils, which may include two airflow paths. In other embodiment, the indoor coil 306 may form any suitable shape, such as a “V-coil” or a “W-coil.” In this manner, the indoor coil 306 may be any suitable size, shape, or configuration. In the event that other evaporation coil design types are used, the heat shield may include a corresponding number of airflow holes in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The ventilation heating system 300 may operate in a manner similar to the ventilation heating system 100 discussed above with reference to FIG. 1. In this manner, in some instances, a furnace/blower may be housed in the lower ventilation cabinet 302. Similarly, in some instances, a water output line may be connected to the drip pan 307.

FIG. 4 illustrates the heat shield 308 installed in the upper ventilation cabinet 304 of the ventilation heating system 300 of FIG. 3. As depicted in FIG. 4, the indoor coil 306 are removed to show relative displacement of the airflow hole 310 and the airflow hole 312. The airflow hole 310 and the airflow hole 312 may be any suitable size, shape, or configuration. In some instances, the size, shape, and configuration of the airflow hole 310 and the airflow hole 312 may be dictated by the configuration of the indoor coil 306. FIG. 5 depicts a bottom view of the heat shield 308 installed in the upper ventilation cabinet 304 of the ventilation heating system 300.

An example embodiment of the heat shield 308 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 6A-C. In particular, FIG. 6A illustrates a front view the heat shield 308 of the ventilation heating system 300 of FIG. 3. As depicted in FIG. 6A, the heat shield 308 may include a top surface 602, a bottom surface 604, and a plurality of screw clearance holes, a sample of which include the screw clearance hole 606. In certain embodiment, the top surface 602, when the heat shield 308 is disposed between the drip pan 307 and the furnace/blower, may be positioned to face the drip pan 307. In some embodiments, the top surface 602 may contact the drip pan 307. In other embodiments, the top surface 602 may be separated from the drip pan 307 by a predetermined distance. For example, in some instances, one or more spacers may be disposed between the heat shield 308 and the drip pan 307. In other instances, the heat shield 308 and the drip pan 307 may be positioned within respective slots that are spaced apart so as not to be in contact with one another. In other instances, the heat shield 308 rests on flanges on cabinet 304, as will be discussed in greater detail below, wherein the heat shield 308 is disposed at a predetermined distance from the drip pan 307.

In embodiments where the heat shield 308 is in contact with the drip pan 307, e.g., when the top surface 602 is in contact with the drip pan 307, the heat transfer from the heat shield 308 to the drip pan 307 may be mainly via conduction. In such instances, when the heat shield 308 is super-heated, e.g., in the event of a malfunction of the furnace/blower, there may be an increased chance that the drip pan 307 may be damaged. In such instances, even though the heat shield 308 may be easily replaced in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the drip pan 307 may additionally need to be replaced.

In this manner, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the heat shield 308 may be separated from the drip pan 307. When the heat shield 308 is separated from the drip pan 307, e.g., when the top surface 602 is separated from the drip pan 307 by a predetermine distance, the heat transfer from the heat shield 308 to the drip pan 307 may be mainly via radiation. In certain embodiment, such radiation heat transfer may result in less heat transfer than the heat transfer from conduction. Therefore, in the event that the heat shield 308, which may be separated from the drip pan 307, is damaged, it is possible that the drip pan 307 may not need to be replaced. In such instances, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the heat shield 308 may be replaced without moving or removing the indoor coil 306 and/or the drip pan 307, which may result in significate reductions in labor costs.

FIG. 6B illustrates a top view of the heat shield 308 of FIG. 6A. The heat shield 308 may include the airflow hole 310, the airflow hole 312, a normal break 616, a rear edge 618, a left side edge 620, a right side edge 622, a first hem 624, a second hem 626, a third hem 628, a fourth hem 630, a first notch 632, and a second notch 634. FIG. 6C illustrates a side view of the heat shield 308 of FIG. 6A.

In certain embodiments, the normal break 616 may be formed by bending the front part of a unitary sheet of metal down by about 90°. The normal break 616 may provide additional support to the heat shield 308 when inserted into the upper ventilation cabinet 304. In some instances, each of the first hem 624, the second hem 626, the third hem 628, and the fourth hem 630 may be formed by folding a portion of the unitary sheet about 180° upon itself. The folded hems may increase the structural integrity, e.g., reduce the likelihood of crimping or twisting of the heat shield 308, when inserting the heat shield 308 between the drip pan 307 and the furnace/blower. In accordance one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the heat shield 308 may be a unitary sheet metal body that is configured to be inserted between the drip pan 307 and the furnace/blower. In certain embodiments, as depicted in FIG. 6B, the heat shield 308 includes the airflow hole 310 and the airflow hole 312.

Because the heat shield 308 may be separated from the drip pan 307, in the event the heat shield 308 is damaged, only the heat shield 308 may need to be replaced. Further, because the heat shield 308 is configured to be inserted between the drip pan 307 and the blower, in order to replace heat shield 308 (when damaged or otherwise), the indoor coil 306 need not be removed. This may greatly reduce the labor costs associated with replacing the heat shield in the ventilation heating system 300 as compared to that discussed above with reference to FIGS. 1-2.

In one or more embodiments in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, the thickness of the heat shield 308 is about 0.375 inches. In one or more embodiments in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, the screw clearance holes, e.g., the screw clearance hole 606, has a diameter of about 0.250 inches. In one or more embodiments in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, the distance between screw clearance holes is about 6.5 inches, whereas in other embodiments in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, the distance between screw clearance holes is about 5.5 inches. In one or more embodiments in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, the distance from a screw clearance hole to an end of the heat shield 308 is about 2.572 inches as indicated by 636. In one or more embodiments in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, the distance from the bottom of the heat shield to the center of screw clearance holes is about 0.230 inches.

In one or more embodiments in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, the heat shield 308 has width of about 17.125 inches as indicated by 638. In one or more embodiments in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, the width of airflow hole 310 is at least twice that of the width of the airflow hole 312. In one or more embodiments in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, the airflow hole 312 has a width of about 2.594 inches. In one or more embodiments in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, the airflow hole 310 has a width of about 6.613 inches. In one or more embodiments in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, the distance from the airflow hole 312 to the airflow hole 310 is about 4.162 inches. In one or more embodiments in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, the airflow hole 312 is about 0.862 inches from the left side edge 620. In one or more embodiments in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, the heat shield 308 has length of about 20.461 inches as indicated by 640. In one or more embodiments in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, the airflow hole 310 has a length that is different than the length of the airflow hole 312. In one or more embodiments in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, the airflow hole 310 has a length that is the same as that of the length of the airflow hole 312. In one or more embodiments in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, the airflow hole 310 has a length of about 17.090 inches as indicated by 642. In one or more embodiments in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, the notch 632 includes an edge angled at about 45° relative to the left side edge 620, and has an overall width of about 0.362 inches. In one or more embodiments in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, the notch 632 has a length that is different than the length of the notch 634. In one or more embodiments in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, the notch 632 has a length that is about the same as the length of the notch 634. In one or more embodiments in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, the notch 634 has a length of about 1.750 inches. In one or more embodiments in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, the rear edge has corners that are rounded with a radius of curvature of about 0.250 inches. In one or more embodiments in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, the first hem 624 has a width that is different than the width of the second hem 626. In one or more embodiments in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, the first hem 624 has a width that is the about same as the width of the second hem 626. In one or more embodiments in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, the first hem 624 has a width that is different than the width of the third hem 628. In one or more embodiments in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, the first hem 624 has a width that is about the same as the width of the third hem 628. In one or more embodiments in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, the second hem 626 has a width that is different than the width of the third hem 628. In one or more embodiments in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, the second hem 626 has a width that is about the same as the width of the third hem 628. In one or more embodiments in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, the third hem 628 has a width of about 0.500 inches.

FIG. 7 illustrates an oblique bottom view of the upper ventilation cabinet 304 of the ventilation heating system 300 of FIG. 3. In certain embodiments, the heat shield 308 may be disposed within the upper ventilation cabinet 304 and below the drip pan 307. In some instances, the screw clearance holes, for example screw clearance hole 606, may correspond to mounting screws for the access panel to be mounted to the upper ventilation cabinet 304. In some embodiments, the heat shield 308 is disposed a distance from the drip pan 307. That is, the general plane of the heat shield 308 may be parallel to and spaced apart from the general plane of the drip pan 307 when both are installed. In this manner, heat from the furnace/blower may not be conducted from the heat shield 308 to the drip pan 307. In contrast, by separating the heat shield 308 from the drip pan 307, the heat that is transferred from the heat shield 308 to the drip pan 307 may be limited to radiation. As a result, thermal damage to the drip pan 307 that may be contributed from the heat shield 308 is greatly reduced. This may increase the lifespan of the drip pan 307 as compared to that of the systems discussed above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In some instances, the heat shield 308 is configured to be disposed a ⅛″ from the drip pan 307 when the heat shield 308 is disposed between the drip pan 307 and the furnace/blower. The drip pan 307 may be disposed any suitable distance from the heat shield 308.

FIG. 8 illustrates an enlarged view of the portion 704 of the upper ventilation cabinet 304 of the ventilation heating 300 system FIG. 7. A depicted in FIG. 8, when the heat shield 308 is inserted between the drip pan 307 and the furnace/blower, the right edge 622 of the heat shield 308 may slide along a right side ridge 802 of the upper ventilation cabinet 304. In some instances, the right side ridge 802 of the upper ventilation cabinet 304 may be formed by bent sheet metal. The right side ridge 802 of the upper ventilation cabinet 304 may form a ridge, slot, or channel for the right edge 622 of the heat shield 308 to engage (e.g., slide along and/or within). In a similar manner, the left edge 620 may correspondingly slide along a left side ridge of the upper ventilation cabinet 304, which may be similarly formed as the right side ridge 802 of the upper ventilation cabinet 304.

Further, in some instances, the upper ventilation cabinet 304 may include brace mounting screws that may interfere with the insertion of the heat shield 308. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, a brace mounting screw 804 in the side of the upper ventilation cabinet 304 may contact the right side edge 622 of the heat shield 308 when the heat shield 308 is being inserted between the drip pan 307 and the furnace/blower. In some instances, this may be undesirable. In this manner, to eliminate this issue, the brace mounting screw 804 may need to be drawn out from the upper ventilation cabinet 304 until the heat shield 308 is inserted between the drip pan 307 and the furnace/blower. At that point, when the notch 634 is positioned to coincide with the brace mounting screw 804, the brace mounting screw 804 may then be tightened into the upper ventilation cabinet 304. Accordingly, the notch 634 may be sized and shaped to accommodate the brace mounting screw 804 and provide clearance for the right side ridge 802. This may additionally happen on the other side, as will be described in greater detail with reference to FIG. 9.

FIG. 9 illustrates an enlarged view of a bottom view of portion 706 of the upper ventilation cabinet 304 of the ventilation heating 300 system FIG. 7. As depicted in FIG. 9, the left side edge 620 of the heat shield 308 may slide along a left side ridge 902 of the upper ventilation cabinet 304. In some instances, the left side ridge 902 of the upper ventilation cabinet 304 may be formed by bent sheet metal. The left side ridge 902 of the upper ventilation cabinet 304 may form a ridge, slot, or channel for the left edge 620 of the heat shield 308 to engage (e.g., slide along and/or within). Further, the notch 632 may be sized and shaped to accommodate a mounting screw of the upper ventilation cabinet 304 and provide clearance for a ridge, similar to the notch 634 described above.

In certain embodiments, when the heat shield of the present disclosure is damaged, it may be replaced. For example, an access panel on the ventilation cabinet may be removed. Next, the damaged heat shield may be removed from the ventilation cabinet. In certain embodiments, the damaged heat shield may be removed without removing, or even moving, the drip pan. For example, in some instances, the damaged heat shield may be removed by sliding the edges of the damaged heat shield along ridges of the ventilation cabinet. The ridges may be spaced apart from the drip pan. For example, the ridges may be formed of bent sheet metal which spaces the heat shield apart from the drip pan. In this manner, in some embodiments, the damaged heat shield may be removed without removing the drip pan. In other embodiments, the damaged heat shield may be removed without moving the drip pan.

Once the damaged heat shield is removed, a replacement heat shield may be inserted into the ventilation cabinet. In some embodiments, the replacement heat shield may be inserted by sliding the edges of the replacement heat shield along the ridges of the ventilation cabinet. In certain embodiments, the replacement heat shield may be inserted without removing the drip pan. In other embodiments, the replacement heat shield may be inserted without moving the drip pan.

As discussed above, the typical ventilation heating systems may include significant maintenance costs when a heat shield for a drip pan is replaced. In particular, as the heat shield and drip pan are a unitary element in typical system, when the heat shield is in need of replacement, the heat exchanger coils unit may first be removed, the combination heat shield/drip pan may then be removed and replaced, and the heat exchanger coils unit may be reinstalled. This may result in substantial labor costs. To address this problem, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, when a heat shield needs to be replaced, the damaged heat shield may be removed without needing to move or remove the drip pan or the heat exchanger coils. This may greatly decrease the labor costs associated with replacing a damaged heat shield in a ventilation heating system.

It will be further understood that there are a number of values disclosed therein, and that each value is also herein disclosed as “about” that particular value in addition to the value itself. In embodiments, “about” can be used to mean, for example, a quantity, level, value, number, frequency, percentage, dimension, size, amount, weight or length that varies by as much as 15%, 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, or 1% to a reference quantity, level, value, number, frequency, percentage, dimension, size, amount, weight, or length. In various embodiments, the term “about” or “approximately” refers to a range of quantity, level, value, number, frequency, percentage, dimension, size, amount, weight, or length ±15%, ±10%, ±9%, ±8%, ±7%, ±6%, ±5%, ±4%, ±3%, ±2%, or ±1% about a reference quantity, level, value, number, frequency, percentage, dimension, size, amount, weight, or length.

It should be apparent that the foregoing relates only to certain embodiments of the present disclosure and that numerous changes and modifications may be made herein by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the general spirit and scope of the disclosure.

Although specific embodiments of the disclosure have been described, numerous other modifications and alternative embodiments are within the scope of the disclosure. For example, any of the functionality described with respect to a particular device or component may be performed by another device or component. Further, while specific device characteristics have been described, embodiments of the disclosure may relate to numerous other device characteristics. Further, although embodiments have been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as illustrative forms of implementing the embodiments. Conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments could include, while other embodiments may not include, certain features, elements, and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments.

Claims

1. A system for use in a ventilation cabinet about a furnace, the system comprising: a heat exchanger coil configured to received air from the furnace;a drip pan disposed below the heat exchanger coil and configured to catch condensed water from the heat exchanger coil; anda heat shield comprising a unitary sheet metal body configured to be inserted between the drip pan and the furnace.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the heat shield has a top surface, a bottom surface, an airflow hole, a rear edge, a right side edge, a left side edge opposite to the right side edge, and a normal break opposite to the rear edge,wherein the airflow hole is located in the unitary sheet metal body to enable air to flow from the furnace to the heat exchanger coil when the unitary sheet metal body is inserted between the drip pan and the furnace,wherein the top surface is configured to cover the drip pan when the unitary sheet metal body is inserted between the drip pan and the furnace, andwherein the right side edge and the left side edge are configured to slide between the drip pan and the furnace when the unitary sheet metal body is being inserted between the drip pan and the furnace.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the unitary sheet metal body includes a hem at the airflow hole, andwherein the hem comprises a portion of the unitary sheet metal body folded about 180° onto itself.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the normal break comprises a fastener clearance hole configured to receive a fastener when the unitary sheet metal body is inserted between the drip pan and the furnace.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the unitary sheet metal body includes a second airflow hole.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein the top surface is configured to be disposed a distance from the drip pan when the unitary sheet metal body is inserted between the drip pan and the furnace.

7. A heat shield for use with a furnace and a heat exchanger coil unit having a drip pan, the heat shield comprising: a unitary sheet metal body configured to be inserted between the drip pan and the furnace,wherein the heat shield is spaced apart from the drip pan.

8. The heat shield of claim 7, wherein the unitary sheet has a top surface, a bottom surface, an airflow hole, a rear edge, a right side edge, a left side edge opposite to the right side edge, and a normal break opposite to the rear edge,wherein the airflow hole is located in the unitary sheet metal body so as to enable air to flow from the furnace to the heat exchanger coil when the unitary sheet metal body is inserted between the drip pan and the furnace,wherein the top surface is configured to cover the drip pan when the unitary sheet metal body is inserted between the drip pan and the furnace, andwherein the right side edge and the left side edge are configured to slide between the drip pan and the furnace when the unitary sheet metal body is being inserted between the drip pan and the furnace.

9. The heat shield of claim 8, wherein the unitary sheet metal body includes a hem at the airflow hole, andwherein the hem comprises a portion of the unitary sheet metal body folded about 180° onto itself.

10. The heat shield of claim 8, wherein the normal break includes a fastener clearance hole configured to receive a fastener when the unitary sheet metal body is inserted between the drip pan and the furnace.

11. The heat shield of claim 8, wherein the unitary sheet metal body includes a second airflow hole.

12. The heat shield of claim 8, wherein the top surface is configured to be disposed a distance from the drip pan when the unitary sheet metal body is inserted between the drip pan and the furnace.

13. A method of replacing a heat shield in a system for use in a ventilation cabinet about a furnace, the method comprising: opening an access panel on the ventilation cabinet housing a heat exchanger coil disposed above the furnace and being configured to received air from the furnace;removing a first heat shield from the ventilation cabinet; andinserting a second heat shield into the ventilation cabinet,wherein a drip pan is disposed below the heat exchanger coil to catch condensed water from the heat exchanger coil, andwherein the first heat shield comprises a unitary sheet metal body configured to be disposed between the drip pan and the furnace.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the first heat shield a top surface, a bottom surface, an airflow hole, a rear edge, a right side edge, a left side edge opposite to the right side edge, and a normal break opposite to the rear edge,wherein the airflow hole is located in the unitary sheet metal body so as to enable air to flow from the furnace to the heat exchanger coil when the unitary sheet metal body is disposed between the drip pan and the furnace,wherein the top surface is configured to cover the drip pan when the unitary sheet metal body is disposed between the drip pan and the furnace, andwherein the right side edge and the left side edge are configured to slide between the drip pan and the furnace when the unitary sheet metal body is being removed from between the drip pan and the furnace.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the unitary sheet metal body includes a hem at the airflow hole, andwherein the hem comprises a portion of the unitary sheet metal body folded 180° onto itself.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising: closing the access panel on the ventilation cabinet; andfastening the access panel onto the ventilation cabinet with a fastener,wherein the second heat shield comprises a second unitary sheet metal body configured to be disposed between the drip pan and the furnace and having a second top surface, a second bottom surface, a second airflow hole, a second rear edge, a second right side edge, a second left side edge opposite to the second right side edge, and a second normal break opposite to the second rear edge, andwherein the second normal break includes a fastener clearance hole configured to receive the fastener.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the unitary sheet metal body includes a second airflow hole.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the top surface is configured to be disposed a distance from the drip pan when the unitary sheet metal body is disposed between the drip pan and the furnace.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the top surface is configured to be disposed a ⅛″ from the drip pan when the unitary sheet metal body is disposed between the drip pan and the furnace.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the removing the first heat shield from the ventilation cabinet comprises: sliding the right side edge along a right side ridge in the ventilation cabinet; andsliding the left side edge along a left side ridge in the ventilation cabinet.