Types of Heating and Cooling Systems Explained

Heating and cooling systems have three basic elements—a source of warm or cool air, a method of sending the heated or cooled air into your living space, and a way to control the temperature in your home. The thermostat recognizes when the temperature is too hot or too cold, and turns the system on and off to maintain your temperature based on your preferences. A furnace, air conditioner, or heat pump will take in existing air from inside your home, heat or cool it, then push that air back into your living space to achieve the desired temperature. What are the parts of a heating system? Furnace —burns oil or gas to heat air Boiler —boils water for homes with radiators Heat pump —heats indoor air by taking warmth from outside air and transferring it indoors Fan coils —pushes warm air into ducts Ducts — distribute warm air from the furnace or heat pump throughout your home Packaged products —a full heating and cooling system in one Thermostat —tells the system how and when to operate bas...