An Introduction to HVAC Systems and How They Work

Understanding HVAC systems
The heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system is the respiratory system of any building. Its main purpose is to provide conditioned air i.e. air which is clean and odorless to breathe in a safe and comfortable environment. The HVAC system controls the quality, movement and temperature of the air and ensures that it is at a comfortable range.

According to their use, HVACs can be categorized into three types namely commercial HVACs, residential HVACs, and industrial HVACs. A better understanding of the HVAC system makes you realize the significance of regular maintenance to ensure its long-lasting performance and full benefits.

How Does Your HVAC System Work?
The HVAC system behaves in a repetitive cycle to fulfill its responsibility to provide heated or cooled air as needed. How does it do that? Consider the function of its components below.

Ventilation Systems
Ventilation systems are of three types – supply, exhaust, and balanced. The exhaust ventilation system makes use of exhaust fans for pulling air out of the home. It reduces pressure of the air inside and allows the natural flow of air outside. The supply ventilation system does it the other way round – it pumps air into the building in order to make the old, stale air leak out. The balanced ventilation system makes use of both supply and exhaust fans to push out old air and allow fresh air to come in.

Air Conditioning
The air conditioning system usually consists of two units, the inside unit known as the evaporator and the outside unit known as the condenser. The condenser is in the high pressure side of the system. The compressor spins the refrigerant into a high pressure gas and sends it to the compressor. It loses its heat and turns into a liquid. This liquid goes into the evaporator which is the low pressure side of the unit. As the pressure suddenly drops here, the refrigerant vaporizes and is transformed into low-temperature, low-pressure gas. As the air is circulated through the many tubes in the system, the heat is absorbed and cool air is circulated through the ventilation system. The repeated cycle provides continuous cool air.

Heating
Your HVAC system consists of a furnace and a ductwork that are connected together to provide a heat exchange. The system usually has a fan attached to pull the heat from the ventilation system and allow it to circulate in the building. A heat pump may be used to supplement the furnace as well but for central heat systems, it is essential. The pump moves heat from outside air into the evaporator and then, it is pumped into the ventilation system.

There are exhaust ducts, supply ducts and return ducts in the HVAC system. Each needs to be installed properly for the system to function efficiently. Regular maintenance of your HVAC system can help prevent poor ventilation and save you on long-term costs.

Contact your local expert Contractor to get quality maintenance services or to inquire further about your HVAC system.