Gas Furnaces

Most home comfort systems have two parts: an outdoor air conditioner or heat pump, and an indoor unit, a furnace. Furnaces heat and circulate warm air in the winter. They also take cool air from the outdoor unit and circulate it through your home in summer. The indoor and outdoor units are designed to work together. When the furnace is properly matched with a heat pump or air conditioner, you enjoy maximum efficiency and extended system life. Furnace heating ability is measured with an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) percentage. A higher AFUE percentage indicates a more efficient furnace.

The Affinity™ 9.C is the highest rated gas furnace in the industry (up to 98% AFUE). The EnergyGuide label outlines the energy use and efficiency of major home appliances. With its industry leading efficiency, the Affinity™ 9.C EnergyGuide rating exceeds government standards – insuring exceptional quality and low energy use.

The basic components of a furnace system are:

• A Burner, where gas (natural or propane) or oil is delivered and burned
• A Heat Exchanger, where the heat from the burning gas is transferred to the air distribution system
• Ductwork to transfer the heated air throughout the home
• A Flue or Vent Pipe, to exhaust byproducts of combustion (such as water vapor and carbon dioxide) outside

“Split System” Air Conditioners

A traditional home comfort system has two parts: an indoor unit, such as a furnace or air handler, and an outdoor unit. An air conditioner is the outdoor unit that cools air and sends it to the indoor unit for circulation through your home. Indoor and outdoor units are designed to work together. When the air conditioner is properly matched with a furnace or air handler, you get maximum efficiency and longer system life. Air conditioning and cooling efficiency is measured using a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). A higher SEER means higher energy efficiency. The latest standard for SEER is 13 (beginning January 2006).

Here’s what makes it cool

A “split system” central air conditioner includes a compressor, fan, condenser coil, evaporator coil and refrigerant. The system removes heat from indoor air and transfers it outside, leaving the cooled indoor air to be recirculated. A central air conditioning system uses electricity as its power source.

The basic components of an air conditioning system are:

• A Condensing Unit (the outdoor section)
• A matching indoor air handler or furnace with coil
• Ductwork to transfer the cooled air throughout the home