Parker was motivated to invent a better heating system by the desire for a safer and more efficient way to heat homes. She sought to replace traditional wood-burning fireplaces with a system that could be centrally controlled and more reliably heated multiple rooms.

Alice H. Parker filed a patent application for her heating furnace design. This was a significant step towards formalizing and protecting her invention.

Parker's design utilized natural gas as fuel to heat a network of radiators or vents throughout a building. This allowed for zonal heating, where different areas could be heated independently, offering greater control and efficiency compared to traditional heating methods.

A core focus of Parker’s invention was to create a system that was both safe and efficient. Her design incorporated features to prevent gas leaks and ensure consistent heat distribution, addressing the limitations of existing heating technologies.

Parker was granted patent #1,325,900 for her heating system design. This recognition validated her invention and gave her exclusive rights to produce, sell, and utilize her design. It was a substantial achievement for an African American woman inventor during that era.

While Parker's specific design was never commercially produced, her concept influenced future developments in central heating systems. Her focus on safety, efficiency, and zonal heating became important factors in the evolution of modern heating technologies.