Basics

How a Gas Furnace Works

Facts:

• 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, thus warming the air.
• The furnace’s blower then blows the warmed air into the ductwork, which carries and disperses the warmed air throughout the home.
• During warmer months, the blower inside a furnace continues to circulate return air throughout the home–only this time, the return air has been cooled by being blown over the indoor coil portion of the home’s split-system air conditioning system. The condensing coil is typically installed on top of the furnace.

Benefits:

• Indoor warmth any time it is required.
• Energy efficiency -The efficiency of a furnace can be determined by its AFUE–or Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. The minimum efficiency level for furnaces currently manufactured in the U.S. is 80% AFUE. A rating of “80% AFUE” means that for every dollar you spend heating your home; 80 cents are actually applied to the generation of warmth. Compared to many of the 60% AFUE furnaces in older homes, 80% AFUE furnaces are a significant improvement. However, for enhanced energy efficiency, you may wish to consider a 95+% AFUE furnace.
• Cleaner air - As your HVAC system draws air out of various rooms in the house through return air ducts, the air is pulled through an air filter, which removes airborne particles such as dust and lint. Sophisticated filters may remove microscopic pollutants, as well. The filtered air is then routed to air supply ductwork that carries it back to rooms. Whenever the HVAC system is running, this cycle repeats continually, constantly filtering and cleaning the air in your home.
  1. This cleaning process improves with the installation of a variable-speed furnace.  Variable-speed furnaces use variable-speed blowers, which shift between several speeds. These furnaces will run longer at a low speed, which causes them to filter the indoor air more frequently.
  2. And remember - because the furnace plays an important role in the operation of the air conditioner, its variable-speed blower helps maintain both a consistent indoor temperature and improved air quality year-round.
• Possible Tax Credit - As part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the U.S. government has made a provision for tax credits of up to $200 for homeowners who install furnaces with an efficiency of 95% or greater between Jan. 1, 2006, and Dec. 31, 2007. Consumers should discuss these tax credits with a tax professional to see if they qualify.

How a Central AC System Works

Facts:

• The typical central air conditioning system is a split system, with an outdoor air conditioning, or “compressor bearing unit” and an indoor coil, which is usually installed on top of the furnace in the home.
• Using electricity as its power source, the compressor pumps refrigerant through the system to gather heat and moisture from indoors and remove it from the home.
• Heat and moisture are removed from the home when warm air from inside the home is blown over the cooled indoor coil. The heat in the air transfers to the coil, thereby “cooling” the air.
• The heat that has transferred to the coil is then “pumped” to the exterior of the home, while the cooled air is pumped back inside, helping to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature.
• Central air conditioning can also be provided through a package unit or a heat pump.

Benefits:

• Indoor comfort during warm weather - Central air conditioning helps keep your home cool and reduces humidity levels.
• Cleaner air - As your central air conditioning system draws air out of various rooms in the house through return air ducts, the air is pulled through an air filter, which removes airborne particles such as dust and lint. Sophisticated filters may remove microscopic pollutants, as well. The filtered air is then routed to air supply ductwork that carries it back to rooms.
• Quieter operation - Because the compressor bearing unit is located outside the home, the indoor noise level from its operation is much lower than that of a free-standing air conditioning unit.

How a Heat Pump Works

Facts:

• Using electricity as its energy source, heat pumps are used for either the heating or cooling of your home by transferring heat between two reservoirs.
• In the warmer months, the heat pump acts like an air conditioner, removing heat from the air inside your home and transferring it outside.
• During colder months, heat from outdoor air is extracted and transferred to the interior of your home. Believe it or not, even a 32° Fahrenheit day produces enough heat to warm a home using a heat pump.

Benefits:

• Year-round, energy-efficient indoor comfort for moderate climates.  A central heat pump helps maintain comfortable temperatures inside your home and reduces humidity levels year-round. Homes located in regions with severely cold temperatures may either require supplemental heating or be better served with an air conditioner/furnace combination.
• Cleaner air. As your heat pump system draws air out of various rooms in the house through return air ducts, the air is pulled through an air filter, which removes airborne particles such as dust and lint. Sophisticated filters may remove microscopic pollutants, as well. The filtered air is then routed to air supply ductwork that carries it back to rooms. Whenever the air conditioner is running, this cycle repeats continually, constantly filtering and cleaning the air in your home.
• Quieter operation. Because the compressor-bearing unit of the typical central heat pump system is located outside the home, the indoor noise level from its operation is much lower than that of a free-standing air conditioning unit.

How a Packaged System Works

 Facts:

• Package units are unique, all-in-one systems that supply both cooling and heating equipment in one “package.” These units sit on the ground or rooftop outside of your home or business.
• Package units come in three forms:
  • Packaged heat pumps offer heating and cooling using heat pump technology.
  • Packaged air conditioners cool your home and can heat it as well, using electrical strip heat.
  • Packaged gas-electric units offer all-in-one air conditioning and natural gas-powered furnace performance.

Benefits:

• Space efficiency - Unlike split-system units, all components of a complete heating and cooling system are contained in one location, making package units ideal for situations in which indoor space is at a premium.
• Energy-efficient heating and cooling performance - All Amana package units offer 13 SEER or higher cooling performance. Our package gas/electric units offer 80% AFUE heating performance, as well.

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