What is HVAC? All You Need to Know

The term HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation, and air conditioning. For housing and official buildings, the HVAC allows the residents to enjoy a comfortable temperature. HVACs can be found in many places like homes, schools, and offices where they maintain the ideal temperature. To offer high indoor air quality they use the air that is in the outdoor environment.

This is why they are an essential part of newer buildings. The ventilation in an HVAC system refers to the air exchange that takes place between outdoor and indoor air. This ventilation ensures that the air entering the room is free from bacteria, viruses, and other toxic gases. It also ensures proper oxygen replenishment to the air inside the home.

If explained briefly then the HVAC has three key purposes. All of these functions depend on each other to maintain the ideal temperature and air quality inside your home. We often take our central heating and central air conditioning systems for granted while they are one of the most important and complicated systems in our home. Not having them work can hinder our day-to-day chores. The HVAC system has nine parts that work together to maintain a good environment in your home.

 

 

The Air Return

The ventilation cycle begins with the air return so it is the first portion of your HVAC system. This return is made to take in the air, pass it from the filter, after which it sends it to the core system. The most common problem with the air return is that dust and debris can easily build up which may disturb their function. So, make sure you clean them regularly.

The Filter

The second major area of your HVAC system is the filter. As the name suggests the air that comes from the returns is filtered out to make it free from harmful gases bacteria and viruses. To keep your HVAC system running smoothly and ensure that they are working at an optimal level regular changing of the filter is highly recommended.

 

 

The Exhaust Outlet

The next important part of your HVAC system is the exhaust outlet. When you have an HVAC system the functioning heating system often creates exhaust. This exhaust is expelled out with the exhaust outlet. It is important that you check the chimney flue and the vent stack regularly so you can tune it if there is a need.

The Ducts

Ducts are the small canals that are created in an HVAC system to allow easy passage of hot and cool air. Since everything in the home requires maintenance your HVAC requires it too, especially the ducts of your HVAC system. Make sure that you contact an air conditioning repair service provider to get proper maintenance for the ducts every few years to keep them working efficiently.

 

 

The Electrical System

This is the complicated part of the HVAC system. However, this is also the part where there are the most problems. It is also difficult to get them fixed and it is best to consult a professional if there are any problems with the electrical system. There are many home appliance repair services that could help you out.  However, before you do that just have a look if the breaker has tripped or the thermostat is running out of battery.

The Outdoor Unit

This is the first part that pops up in your head when you think of an HVAC system. The fan is part of the outdoor unit that regulates airflow around the room or house. Similar to the air return, the outdoor unit can also accumulate dust and debris so it is important that you clean it regularly. If the dust gets into the fan it may contaminate the air in your home.

 

The Compressor

The compressor is the part of the HVAC that deals with processing the gas in the refrigerant into a liquid and then sending them to the coils. If you find your HVAC system not running properly then the first part to check is the compressor. There is a problem with the compressor often when something doesn’t seem right with your HVAC. It may also significantly affect other systems too.

The Coils

As the air passes through the outdoor system it needs to be cooled. With some aid from the refrigerant, the coils cool that air. Coils are an important part of the outdoor unit. You should make sure of the annual maintenance of your coils. You may find them frozen if your filters are not working properly or refrigerant levels are not as required.

The Blower

The warm air from the main unit is drawn by the blower. This is the part of the HVAC system which if working efficiently and maintained regularly can increase the durability of your HVAC system.

Final Thoughts

The HVAC system is essential in many homes and offices. However, not a lot of us know about the technicalities of the system. This article explains the purpose and the basic part of an HVAC system so you can make an educated purchase.