HEATING AND COOLING PRODUCTS
 
FURNACES
  • A furnace works to keep a home warm in the winter and plays a critical part in the operation of an air conditioning system.
  • Furnaces produce heat through the combustion of natural gas in the furnace's burner.  The heat produced from this process then passes through a heat exchanger.  Air from your home's return air ducts is blown over the heat exchanger, warming the air.
  • The furnace's blower then blows the warm air into the ductwork, carrying and dispersing the warm air through the home.
  • During warmer months, the blower in the furnace can circulate return air through the home that has been cooled by the home's air conditioning system.
The efficiency of a furnace is determined by its AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilitzation Efficiency).  The minimum efficiency for furnaces currently manufactured in the United States is 80%.  Compared to many of the 60% AFUE furnaces in older homes, these furnaces are a significant improvement.  However, today there are extremely energy-efficient furnaces that are over 95% AFUE.
 
Variable and multi-speed furnaces can provide enhanced indoor comfort by slowly ramping up rather than simply turning on at full speed.  This also alleviates "cold air blow" when single-speed furnaces first start up.  These variable speed furnaces run longer at a lower speed, which cause them to filter the indoor air more frequently.
 
AIR CONDITIONERS
  • A central air conditioning system is a split system with an outdoor "compressor bearing" condenser and indoor coil, installed on top of the furnace.
  • The compressor, using electricity, pumps refrigerant through the system to gather heat and moisture from indoors and remove it from the home.
  • Heat and moisture are removed when warm air from inside the home is blown over the cooled indoor coil.  The heat in the air transfers to the coil, cooling the air.
  • The heat transferred to the coil is then pumped to the exterior of the home, and the cooled air is pumped inside maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature.
  • Air conditioning can also be provided through the use of a package unit or heat pump.
The efficiency of an air conditioner is determined by its SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating).  The minimum for air conditioners currently manufactured in the United States is 13.0 SEER.  Compared to many of the 8-10.0 SEER air conditioners in older homes, these air conditioners are a significant improvement.  However, today there are extremely energy-efficient air conditioners that are 20.0 SEER.
 

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