Working Together: How Your Heating and Cooling Systems Interact
May 17, 2024
Although your heating and cooling systems work via very different principles, they may be more closely intertwined than you think. Home heating and cooling systems share many components, making the maintenance of one just as important as the upkeep of the other. Thus, if you experience a problem with your furnace or air conditioner, repairing it as soon as possible will protect not only the system that is affected, but its counterpart as well, improving your home’s overall efficiency and comfort throughout the year.
Ductwork
If your home has central heat and air, both systems use the same ductwork to distribute heated or cooled air, depending on the season. Ductwork that is poorly sealed, too small, dirty, or damaged will thus affect both your heating and air conditioning, reducing their efficiency and making both of these systems work harder to achieve your desired temperature. If you are having trouble achieving the temperature you want and your HVAC system is in good repair, the problem could be leaking or poorly-designed ductwork, rather than an issue with the appliances themselves. Additionally, your ducts end in air registers that allow heated and cooled air to exit the ducts and enter the living spaces of your home. If your home doesn’t have a sufficient number of registers, it may feel too cold or too hot despite the fact that your HVAC system is working correctly. An HVAC expert can evaluate your home’s duct system and the energy losses it may be causing to let you know if you might need to add air registers or schedule duct cleaning or repair.
Fan
Your furnace contains a fan, or air handling unit, which pushes heated air away from the appliance and through your ducts for home comfort. Air conditioning systems that are installed alongside furnace systems use the same air handler during the warm season to push cooled air into your ducts. Because these systems share a single fan, furnace problems during the winter can translate into air conditioning problems during the summer if your fan is the culprit. Furthermore, because your air conditioner and furnace are connected via this fan system, an air conditioner that isn’t properly installed could also be allowing cold air to enter your ducts and hinder your furnace’s efforts to provide adequate heat for your home. This potential energy loss is why it’s so important to ensure that your air conditioner and furnace are installed by an experienced HVAC professional. Additionally, if you find yourself needing to replace your air conditioner, it can be beneficial to consider replacing your furnace as well. A new air conditioner might not deliver the cooling capacity and energy savings you expect if it is coupled with an older furnace fan system that is not capable of circulating cooled air effectively. Replacing both systems at once is the best way to enjoy the greatest boost in both heating and cooling performance.
Trusting the care of your HVAC system to an experienced professional is the best way to enjoy years of efficient operation and energy savings. Take a look through our website to find out more about the heating and cooling services we offer throughout the Detroit area, or click through our blog to read more about protecting and maintaining your HVAC system.