With technology, you are now able to alter the room’s temperate. You can heat your room or cool it down instantly. Now, imagine doing that without purchasing two different machines, namely -an air conditioner and a heater. More comfort at less money, right?

Thanks to HVAC systems, you no longer have to buy multiple appliances to control room temperature. HVAC systems help keep your home under proper temperature irrespective of the outdoor climate. You can warm your rooms in the harsh winter and cool them down in summer. In addition, you can even purify the air in your indoor space. In a nutshell, all you ever wanted to control about your room temperature is right here for your taking.

But what does HVAC stand for, and how does it work? Continue reading to understand the HVAC system, how it works, and its numerous benefits to you and your family.

What is HVAC?

HVAC is the abbreviation for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. Nowadays, not only commercial buildings but even residential apartments are opting for HVAC systems. These appliances help us to regulate the room temperature to the desired level and circulate purified air throughout the room. It is perhaps what we can call the modern solution to our modern problem.

You can use the HVAC system in any place. These systems can fit any place or demand, be it residential areas, commercial buildings, or indoor stadiums. Several options are available in the market based on brand, design, product type, and features. But their purpose is similar. If you are planning to buy an HVAC system, it is best to contact the HVAC technician who can help you choose the right system by determining your needs and explaining what’s best for your building.

HVAC system – Parts

HVAC, as we discussed, stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. Therefore, it has three significant parts in its system.

Heating

This is referred to as a boiler or furnace. The heating part is a pipe system through which the fluid carries the heat. The furnace works on either natural gas, electricity, or propane.

Ventilation

The ventilation equipment is used often to clean air. Apart from purifying the air and filtering bacteria and other particles, it directs the air out of the house and adjusts air humidity.

Air Conditioning

Air conditioning helps in removing the heat from the home and maintains a cooler space.

All of these three parts are controlled by a thermostat. Here is how it works – when the temperature reaches a certain set point, the system automatically triggers necessary elements to react to the temperate. So, the HVAC system automatically makes the changes. In addition, there are several new smart systems in the market today that can also alert you in case of any issues within the system that needs your immediate attention. Similarly, you can make minor adjustments to the wi-fi-enabled smart thermostat, enhancing the system’s energy efficiency.

How does an HVAC system work?

The work process starts mainly with the ventilation, which takes air from the open and uses pressure differences to force it out of the building. Then the fan in the AC unit draws the air in and forces it over the coils, which draw heat and cool it using the refrigerant. Lastly, the heat pump draws cold air over the even colder refrigerant. This way, the heat is drawn into the refrigerant, which heats the coils, and the air rises to a warmer temperature as it is drawn over those heated coils. After such processes, the cold or hot air, in air conditioning or heating, respectively, blows into the home.

Apart from the main three elements, there are several things you should know about the HVAC system. Each of them serves its own purpose that helps the HVAC system work as a whole.

Air return is the beginning point of the ventilation cycle. It sucks in air, filters it, and then passes it to the central system. This brings us to the next important part, the filter. It is here the air is drawn through, and you need to dust it regularly to maintain the system. The next is the exhaust outlets that expells the exhaust created by the heating system. Then, there are ducts through which the heated or cooled air passes. Electrical elements are an essential part of your system. Though it is practically complicated to check the issues in this part, it is where the problems often kickstart.

Outdoor Unit – The next is the outdoor unit visible to you. Here, the critical thing to look after is the fan which provides the airflow. A compressor is also a part of the outdoor unit, which converts refrigerant from gas to liquid. It then sends it to the coils that cool the air. Finally, the blower is another significant part that draws in warm air through the central part of the unit.

FAQ

Is Air Conditioning and HVAC the same?

Of course not. Air Conditioning helps in removing the excess heat in the home’s interior and creates a cooler space. It is a part of HVAC, which also consists of heating and ventilation. So an air conditioner is just an air conditioner, but HVAC includes heating, cooling, and ventilation equipment.

What is the difference between different HVAC systems in the market?

There are several kinds of HVAC systems that vary based on the heating and cooling needs of the building. For instance, the HVAC system you might require in an office will be very different from what you need in your home. In addition, factors like location, the building’s age, existing ductwork, and heating and cooling needs of the building affect the different products available.

What are the basic types of HVAC systems?

Split systems, aka forced-air systems, hybrid heat pumps, ductless mini-split, packaged systems, and ducted mini-system, are some of the basic types of HVAC systems.