Honeywell Thermostat vs. Your AC & Furnace

Your Honeywell thermostat is the key to keeping you and your family comfortable as well as managing heating and cooling costs in your home. But for many, the difference between a thermostat and their actual air conditioner or furnace remains a mystery. Have no fear, your friendly Aire Serv® professionals are here with the information to help you get the most out of your system!

How Does My Honeywell Thermostat Function & Where Is It Located?

Your Honeywell thermostat helps your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system or furnace maintain the temperature in your home. It is a compact box that displays your home's temperature reading and is located on one of the inside walls of your home. Your Honeywell thermostat automatically senses the temperature in your home and uses this information to turn your air conditioner or furnace off and on in order to maintain the thermostat's set temperature. When the temperature in your home gets one degree cooler or warmer than your chosen temperature, it triggers your heating and cooling system in an effort to maintain the desired temperature.

Your Honeywell thermostat is just one major brand of thermostat. Typically emblazoned on the faceplate of your thermostat, other major thermostat brands include:

  • Broan
  • Cadet
  • Dimplex
  • Fahrenheat
  • Filtrete
  • FloorWarm
  • Kelvin
  • LockState
  • Lux
  • MP Global
  • Nest
  • OJ Electronics
  • Pro 1
  • Schneider Electric
  • Trane
  • White Rodgers

What Is the Difference Between My Honeywell Thermostat & My AC Or Furnace?

The small box that contains your Honeywell thermostat senses the temperature in your home and allows you to set and adjust it. Your air conditioner or furnace, on the other hand, is much larger and is comprised of the mechanical components used to create the heated or cooled air that is distributed through your home, such as the condenser and compressor of your air conditioner, and the burner and heat exchanger of your furnace.

Where Is My Air Conditioner or Furnace Located?

That depends; there are several types:

  • Split system central heating & cooling systems – Split AC systems consist of two parts: An indoor cabinet and an outdoor metal cabinet housing component. The typical system distributes air through your home using sheet metal passageways, or ducts, though some systems may be ductless. Indoor cabinets are often found in closets and look like a large metal box. Your system's air filter and supply duct should be located close, behind a wall-mounted return air grille. The outdoor cabinet of your system is typically located on a slab right next to your home, resembling a large, metal box housing a fan.
  • Packaged heating & cooling systems – These systems operate much like split systems, however, as the name implies, there is no indoor component. All of the system components are housed in one “package” on a slab next to your home. Inside your home you will still find the air filter, supply duct, and typical return ducts that are used to distribute air throughout your home.
  • Furnaces & heaters – These commonly used heating systems burn natural gas, propane, oil, or use electricity. They are typically found in closets, basements, crawlspaces, and attics close to their fan system, and resemble a large metal box. They distribute heated air through your home via ductwork, and house an air filter in a wall-mounted return grille, the blower compartment of the furnace, or an attached filter case.

If You Have Questions, Our Heating & Cooling Technicians Can Help!

For assistance in learning how to properly and efficiently operate both your Honeywell thermostat and your air conditioner or furnace, trust in the professionals at Aire Serv. We excel in customer service. Call our AC / heater repair team for more information!

Share Article name

Category: