Yes, the furnace and AC use the same blower. The blower is located in the base of the furnace and pushes hot air out of the furnace and into the ducts. It also pushes cool air through the home when the air conditioning is on.
They are not connected to each other and run independently from each other, but they do use the same ventilation system. There are some units, however, called split units that have both the outside unit (the AC) and the inside unit (the furnace) connected to each other.
The AC and the furnace use the same blower to spread cool and warm air throughout your home. The AC evaporator coil's work is to transfer excess heat and moisture from inside your house to outside and might freeze up when there is a problem with the HVAC system.
Understanding that your furnace and AC work both separately and together can be a bit confusing. Simply put, the air conditioning part of your heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) system chills refrigerant (with an outside unit) while the furnace works inside with fans and coils.
Furnaces And Air Conditioners Are Different Systems
Both your furnace and your AC use ducts and vents to circulate air throughout your home. These systems are tied together because they use the same infrastructure. However, they still operate independently of each other.
Your central air conditioning system is independent of your furnace. The outdoor unit isn't connected to the furnace at all—but they both utilize the same distribution system (vents, fans, filters, and ducts) to push cool and warm air into your home.
Air conditioners and furnaces over 10 years old are generally what the HVAC industry would classify as “older.” This is also when most indoor and outdoor units stop being under warranty. If both your AC and furnace are more than 10 years old, we would recommend replacing them both at the same time.
Vents and ducts - the vents in your house are used to transfer warm air from the furnace as well as cool air from the air conditioner. Blower - both components use the furnace blower to move cool or warm air through the vents.
Even though the furnace is not producing any heat while operating the a/c, it still delivers the cold air throughout your home with the same blower, and passing through the same air filter. This is why, regardless of the season, you should regularly change your air filters.
First, check your filters and coils for dirt and debris that may be impeding airflow. Once you've cleaned the filters and coils, run the air conditioner with just the fan so that the ice accumulation can melt off. If the AC still doesn't blow cold air, it could be that refrigerant levels are too low.
They share system components, like a blower, ducts, and vents. However, the furnace and AC are two distinct appliances that run independently. Because of this, it's unlikely that your furnace and air conditioner will break down at the same time.
The blower motor manages the power behind the hot and cool air circulating out from your HVAC system. This essential component of your HVAC system is responsible for evenly distributing heat, improving energy efficiency, and maximizing indoor ventilation.
On the one hand, running your heating and cooling fan even when the AC isn't in operation helps to circulate the cool air throughout your home. Doing so distributes it evenly, ensuring consistent comfort. It's also worth noting that constantly turning the fan on and off can put your system through wear and tear.
We recommend keeping vents and interior doors open as much as possible for the best airflow.
Experts advise having your air ducts cleaned every 2 to 3 years to prevent many maintenance and health problems before they start. However, homes with pets or children with allergies should have their air ducts professionally cleaned more frequently than the recommended average.
If the home includes an electric furnace, that unit will also have its own dedicated breaker. Issues such as low airflow due to a clogged air filter, obstructed air vents in rooms, a failing blower motor, or internal electrical defects inside the unit may be the cause of breaker trips.
While many people refer to air conditioning and furnace filters as if they're different, this is not the case. Your furnace and your air conditioning system use the exact same filter, so there's no need to worry about purchasing separate filters for each piece of equipment.
Besides causing an inefficient, poorly functioning furnace, a dirty air filter can also damage your air conditioning system beyond repair.
The short answer: You can get away with running your AC without a filter for a short period of time. However, doing so for longer than 6-8 hours can hurt your system and decrease your home's indoor air quality.
Common causes include electrical problems, a malfunctioning blower motor, or thermostat-related issues. Electrical problems may include blown fuses within the furnace circuit or tripped circuit breakers in your electrical panel. If the blower motor is worn out or has failed, it can cease to function altogether.
The blower in a furnace is made up of a motor, fan blades in a cage (squirrel cage), and an electrical system to power it and control it.
Your AC's blower motor is responsible for moving air through your air conditioner to cool it and then pushing it back out into your home. Without this incredible component, your AC can't provide any cooling effect, no matter how much the compressor runs.
Furnace and AC replacement costs vary. A new furnace costs $4,800 on average, with an average range between $2,800 and $6,900. The cost to install a new AC unit is between $3,900 and $8,000 on average. However, the cost of a new HVAC system together is $7,500 on average, often in the range of $5,000 to $12,500.
Yes, You Can!
Keep rebates and efficiency in mind when making any decisions on replacing just the AC unit.
You'll be happy to hear that while your exact cost savings will vary based on the systems that you choose to install, we've estimated that bundling furnace and AC installations will save you an average of $2,000 and $5,000.