A furnace maintains the temperature in the house by heating it, and a central air conditioner does just what you'd expect: provide cooling. Heating and cooling typically use more than half of a home's energy usage. Choosing HVAC equipment that is right for your area can help save money on energy bills while maintaining comfort. There are three basic types of heating systems:
*Radiant floor heat passes through hard surfaces to warm whole areas from below, producing uniform warmth throughout a space
*Convection or fan-forced heated air heats people directly from above, warming them from head-to-toe at once
*Infrared radiation warms people from any angle without even touching them
Air conditioners function in much the same way as heating systems, but in reverse. They cool outdoor air to warm indoor air. There are two basic types of cooling systems:
*Evaporative cooling uses a system similar to that found on very dry days outside—essentially, water evaporates and takes heat with it
*Refrigeration or vapor-compression cooling uses a system much like your refrigerator, compressing and releasing refrigerant to complete the cycle
*Radiant floor heat passes through hard surfaces to warm whole areas from below, producing uniform warmth throughout a space
*Convection or fan-forced heated air heats people directly from above, warming them from head-to-toe at once