Residential HVAC systems are a huge part of your home. By learning the basics, you can extend the life of your system and reduce your energy bills. Here are the basics of how residential HVAC systems work. By understanding how a residential HVAC system works, you can better understand how to keep it in good working order, and how to maintain a comfortable temperature throughout your home.
What exactly does HVAC mean?
HVAC has nothing to do with vacuuming, despite its name. It refers to the three different services that the system offers. As follows:
- Heating
- Ventilation
- Air conditioning
It’s not uncommon for the acronym HVAC to be followed by an R (HVAC/R or HVAC-R). People normally use the term “Refrigeration” in commercial contexts. However, a commercial-sized refrigeration unit might sound appealing if you enjoy cooking for a large family or prefer to stock up on frozen items). If you are looking for a professional HVAC cleaning in Suwanee, GA, give us a call right away!
Your HVAC system is one of the most important things in your home, and if you don’t take the time to learn about it, you could be leaving yourself open to a lot of trouble. Here’s what you need to know about how your HVAC system heats and cools your home so you can keep yourself cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
How Does the HVAC System Heat and Cool?
Some HVAC systems use a condenser, often known as a traditional air conditioning unit, to provide cooling. Ironically, some people chill with something called a heat pump. Both work by pulling warm air from within your house and transferring it outside, which brings down the temperature inside.
Contrary to popular misconception, air conditioning removes the warmer air rather than blowing cool air inside. When you wish to warm up the air inside your home, a heat pump works in reverse, drawing warmer air from the outside and bringing it indoors. The fundamental distinction between a heat pump and a condenser is that a heat pump is also involved in heating your home. If you have a condenser, you can only use your furnace for heating because a condenser only provides cooling.
Does this imply that homes with heat pumps lack furnaces? Yes, in some instances. However, many households today choose to have a dual system, which entails furnaces and heat pumps. Additionally, you can also employ a furnace in your system without a heat pump. If you have AC in this situation, it would be normal. Learn more about dryer vent installation and repair Suwanee.
What Other Elements Make Up an HVAC System?
Your HVAC system contains more components than just furnaces, air conditioners, and heat pumps. In addition to other things, HVAC systems include:
The Air Exchangers
It is a cornerstone of your HVAC system’s ventilation section. Fresh air is “exchanged” for stale air by the air exchanger. As a result, your home’s air remains cleaner than it otherwise would. Additionally, it may aid with humidity control and allergy reduction. Is there a small AM button on the console or dash of your car? That air exchanger stands for air mode (not am radio).
Coils for evaporators and coolant
Many crucial components are present in both AC units and heat pumps. One of them is this. Its task is to cool the coolant in your AC unit so that, in conjunction with a fan, the coolant can cool your house.
As bizarre as it may sound, you will never run out of coolant unless there is a leak in the container holding it. But wait, coolant isn’t good for the environment. The widespread view is that it is as if that coolant is Freon. To that purpose, Puron, a coolant, has replaced Freon in all AC units produced in the last ten or so years.
However, older units still utilize Freon, so if you wish to switch to Puron, you’ll need to spend money on a new unit. It’s also crucial to remember that Freon is no longer produced or imported in the United States. Therefore, you’ll have to replace your older unit if it leaks and runs out of refrigerant.
Ductwork, registers, and vents
Leaving aside technical concerns, your HVAC system would be useless without vents and ducts. Vents and registers allow the air to enter a room and heat or cool it, while ducts distribute the air throughout the house. Even though it seems simple, this isn’t always the case, at least when it comes to ducting.
There are numerous ducting system varieties, some of which are incompatible with specific air conditioners and heat pumps (especially in older homes). Thus, you should first investigate duct compatibility if you intend to invest in a new HVAC system.
Thermometer
As you are undoubtedly aware, a thermostat enables you to change and regulate the temperature in your house. However, you might not be mindful that specific modern HVAC systems require compatibility checks to ensure that the thermostat you use will work with that system. Many manufacturers sell compatible thermostats for this reason.
But assuming you can choose the thermostat you like most. Think about it as an option between a smart thermostat, a digital thermostat, and an old-fashioned analog thermostat.
Your HVAC system is one of the most important things in your home. However, if you do not take the time to learn about it, you could be leaving yourself open to a lot of trouble. Therefore, you need to know about how your HVAC system heats and cools your home so you can keep yourself cool in the summer and warm in the winter.