How Your System Works
Home Comfort is More Than Just Temperature Control
Did you know a great heating and cooling system can purify your home's airflow or fine-tune its humidity levels? By understanding the primary components of your home comfort system, you can better understand how your HVAC system operates. Review our HVAC Terms to get to know these components, how they can improve your home comfort, and how they can add to your home's value.
Types of Residential HVAC Systems
A split system includes an air conditioning unit or heat pump installed outside your home and a furnace or air handler installed inside. A mechanical blower forces heated or cooled air through the ductwork. Your thermostat controls this conditioned air that moves through the ducts.
An electric heat pump and a furnace are used in tandem in a hybrid heat pump system. When it's cold outside, the furnace heats your home. The heat pump acts as an efficient, additional heat source during milder weather and provides cool air when it's warm. Your thermostat controls the flow between components.
Some homes don't have ductwork or have ductwork that becomes an obstacle. A duct-free, mini-split system is an efficient, flexible solution for older homes or single rooms like attics and garages that may not have been designed to accommodate heating and cooling systems.
Compact and efficient, residential packaged HVAC systems contain all the components of a traditional, split HVAC system but fit into a single, outdoor unit. This system is perfect for homes without a basement or homes that require a rooftop solution.
Other Factors Affecting Home Health and Comfort
Besides heating and cooling, there are other factors related to HVAC operation that can affect your utility bills and help determine your home's health and comfort.
- Energy Efficiency
Determining the necessary system size for your home is an important step for achieving energy efficiency. Ratings like ENERGY STAR®, which was created by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), can help you more easily identify energy-efficient HVAC units. For HVAC systems, the label indicates products that save anywhere from 15% to 25% more energy than standard HVAC products. Some of the best home HVAC systems are energy efficient – good for both the environment and for saving money on your utility bill. Our simple guide to HVAC energy savings helps explore this topic. - Indoor Air Quality
HVAC systems regulate and circulate airflow around homes. Improving indoor air quality (IAQ) in your home improves both your overall comfort and the healthiness of your home's air. Integrated IAQ products like ventilators, humidifiers, dehumidifiers and air cleaners can help offset the air quality challenges presented by pets and can help people who suffer from allergies and asthma. Integrated IAQ products can also help combat airborne viruses, bacteria or mold. Read more IAQ tips in our Tips to Improve Indoor Air Quality article. - Thermostats and Smart Home Controls
Your home thermostat controls your home comfort system. While all thermostats control indoor temperatures, some also integrate smart home features. Programmable thermostats improve your home's HVAC system efficiency, and Champion® takes this further with integrated voice control using Amazon Alexa and remote access and monitoring via a smart device (including Apple Watch®) in our advanced communicating thermostats. Many of our thermostats can also send notifications to your HVAC dealer to help keep your home comfort system running smoothly.