Introduction to HVAC Systems
Maybe you’re a first-time homebuyer or someone who has little to no experience with the HVAC industry. So, what is an HVAC system, and how does it work? In this article, we’ll break down the components, equipment, and processes of HVAC systems and give you everything you need to start the conversation about replacing your current heating and cooling system.
Hi, I’m Luke from Fire and Ice, and most homeowners know what HVAC stands for – Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning. However, very few people understand everything that goes into a full HVAC system. In this article, we will cover:
1. What is an HVAC system?
2. How does an HVAC system work?
3. How does the system heat your home?
4. How does the system cool your home?
5. How does an HVAC system move air in your home?
We hope that by the end of this article, you’ll have a solid understanding of HVAC equipment and processes, allowing you to have well-informed conversations with HVAC contractors. So let’s jump in and see what an HVAC system is.
What is an HVAC System?
An HVAC system is the equipment, technology, and processes that go into heating, cooling, and ventilating a commercial or residential property. In terms of heating, most homes will have a furnace heating their home. Furnaces come in different types and can use various fuel sources like natural gas, electricity, propane, etc. Heating equipment generally includes a blower motor, which moves the air throughout the home.
In terms of cooling, an HVAC system will traditionally include an air conditioner or heat pump. An air conditioner only cools, whereas a heat pump can cool but can also provide heat for a home.
So how does the air actually move throughout your house? Ductwork! A home’s ductwork is designed to house the air conditioned by the air conditioner or heated by the furnace. There are situations where you only need to heat or cool one part of your home, and ductless HVAC systems will not include many of the more advanced forms of ventilation.
How Does an HVAC System Work?
The important thing to know is that the HVAC equipment moves air. In general, a system exists to move warm air elsewhere, either into the home or out of it. A home’s air conditioner, heat pump, and furnace capture or create the heat, and then the blower and ductwork help facilitate the movement. Simply put, an HVAC system is designed to heat or cool your living space as efficiently and comfortably as possible.
How Does an HVAC System Heat Your Home?
A furnace generates heat either through electrical energy or by burning its fuel source. This fuel source is most typically natural gas but can also be propane or oil. A heat pump works somewhat differently. When heating, it absorbs heat from the outdoor unit and transfers it to the inside. It’s not generating heat so much as actually transferring it from one place to another.
How Does an HVAC System Cool Your Home?
Instead of creating cold air, which is a common myth, air conditioners and heat pumps absorb heat from within a home and move it to the outdoor unit, where it is vented outside. The refrigerant in a cooling system is key to this. The HVAC system changes the pressures of the refrigerant, depending on where it is. It can then absorb ambient heat and remove it once it’s at a different pressure.
How Does an HVAC System Move the Air in Your Home?
Ductwork is the most obvious here, as it is directly connected to your heating and cooling system. Depending on the equipment, ventilation may need to be changed so that it goes out the side of the home instead of through the roof.
What Should You Do Next?
If you want more information on what an HVAC system is, click the link in the description below. If you found this article helpful, feel free to subscribe and click the bell icon to get notifications every time we upload a new article. Thank you for reading, and we look forward to making your day even better.
