Heat pump, furnace or air conditioner: understand the pieces

Learn how heating and cooling equipment works, then identify what is in your home.

A heat pump moves heat using electricity. In heating mode it brings heat indoors; in cooling mode it moves heat outside. Air-source systems use outdoor air, while ground-source systems exchange heat with the ground. A ductless mini-split can serve individual spaces without a central duct system.

A furnace supplies heat; an air conditioner supplies cooling. An air handler is an indoor part that moves air and may contain a coil or supplemental heat. A single outdoor unit is only part of a complete system. Identify both indoor and outdoor model labels before comparing options.

Variable-speed operation can adjust output to changing conditions. It does not establish capacity for your home. Ask for a load calculation, compatible indoor equipment, controls and an installation scope before choosing a package. Photograph only safely accessible labels with covers in place.

Sources you can check

• ENERGY STAR air-source heat pumpsENERGY STAR (U.S. EPA) · checked 2026-10-22

Continue with your home

Keep the equipment labels and supporting documents in one home passport, or explore costs using your own quotes. This public website is a browser-local planning preview; no live AI diagnosis, installation booking, order or notification is performed.