How Do HVAC Systems Work?
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning or HVAC systems have a lot of moving pieces, but taking them down one by one will help you solve the mystery behind this important part of your home. Learn about the anatomy of an HVAC system to understand how it functions.
VENTS
These are the outlets that help distribute hot and cooled air from the duct system into the different rooms of your house. They’re typically located near the ceiling, with angle panes that guide air downward. It’s critical to keep these vents open & secured.
FURNACE
Your furnace is the center of your HVAC operation, and it can be very large—it will take up the most space of all of the various components. The furnace is built to heat air, which is then spread across your home through ductwork or piping. Solar electricity, heat pumps, electric resistance, and combustion are all used as heat sources in furnaces.
REFRIGERATOR LINES
These lines transport refrigerants in the form of gas to the condensing device. This gas is converted to liquid and then returned to the evaporator coil.
EVAPORATOR COIL
When the thermostat is set to a lower temperature, the evaporator coil is used to cool the air. This cold air is then circulated around your home.
THERMOSTAT
This is the most visible part of your HVAC system and the one you’ll deal with the most. It is usually mounted on readily accessible walls and can be adjusted manually or designed to keep your home at your preferred temperature. When the temperature outside becomes too hot or cold, the thermostat instructs the HVAC system to begin circulating air as necessary.
CONDENSING UNIT
This device is located on the outside of your house and is packed with a substance known as refrigerant gas. When the refrigerant has been cooled, the condensing device sends it to the evaporator coil to be converted back into steam.
These are the fundamentals of HVAC function. When shopping for a new HVAC system, you might come across a few different configurations or set-ups.
Types of HVAC Systems
Identifying various types of HVAC systems will save you a great deal of time when you’re weighing your choices, and it can also help you better understand how HVAC operates. Before you start shopping, narrow down your options and get a better idea of what you need to make yours work properly.
Zoned Systems
This sort of HVAC system allows you to cool or heat various parts of your home by adjusting valves or dampers inside the ductwork. These dampers are used to effectively obstruct airflow. Zoned air systems will save you a lot of money because they allow you to monitor which places are heated or cooled at certain hours.
Humidity Control
Most systems today have humidity management capabilities that can be activated or disabled. Based on the temperature requirements, humidifiers and dehumidifiers may be added. When your HVAC system is turned on, these devices allow you to instantly regulate the humidity levels in your house. Humidity can be as bad as high temperatures in some areas of the world. Have you ever heard about this weather forecast? “The temperature is 90 degrees, but it looks like 100.” Humidity is to blame for this. It is essential that your air conditioning unit delivers more than just cool air; your investment should provide you with an overall relaxing atmosphere, which can often be achieved only by humidity management.
Heating and air conditioning split system
This is the most common type of HVAC system. It contains parts both inside and outside the house. It usually consists of an air conditioner designed to cool refrigerant outside of your home and a furnace with a fan or coil within the home. These devices use ductwork to distribute air within your home’s spaces. Newer, more energy-efficient split systems come with extras like air purifiers, humidifiers, and cleaners.
Duct-free split system
This machine, as the name suggests, is meant to run without the use of ductwork. This, also regarded as a ductless mini-split, can be an excellent choice for refurbishing homes with non-ducted heating systems. They’re also a decent choice for rooms that don’t have delivery ductwork.
Choose The Right-sized System
Bigger isn’t necessarily better, and this is particularly true for HVAC systems. Don’t buy a bigger unit than your home requires. If the machine is too big for the amount of square footage it is cooling, it can go through its rounds too fast. This could result in excess condensation, mold, rot, and, of course, reduced comfort. Request assistance from a trained professional in assessing the correct sizing.
With these simple tips, you will understand how HVAC works for your family and make you better prepared to choose the best device for your house. If you’re thinking of installing a new HVAC system in your house, do your homework first. Call Calvey Heating and Air today for a free, no-obligation consultation and estimate.