HVAC: What is It?
HVAC is a system comprised of smaller units for the heating, ventilation, and cooling of a home. HVAC stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. The HVAC system includes parts such as the furnace, air conditioner, heat pumps, ductwork, thermostats, and other devices that control the home’s temperature.
HVAC: What Does it Do?
HVAC systems are manufactured to assist in cooling and heating air in an indoor space. They help move and circulate the air throughout the home while also ensuring that it maintains the appropriate temperature that the thermostat is set to.
HVAC systems are comprised of three main units: a heating unit, a cooling unit, and ductwork. The HVAC system begins by ventilating fresh air into the home or building. If the thermostat is set to cool, then the fan in the air conditioning unit will pull air in and over the evaporator coils. These evaporator coils use refrigerants to cool the air. It is then blown into the ducts and eventually released inside the home.
Similarly, heat pumps and furnaces work the same way as the air conditioning unit. Air is pulled through the ducts, heated, and then released back out and into the home, creating a comfortable and warm environment during the winter months.
HVAC’s Most Important Parts
There are many parts to an HVAC system, but some are more important than others. Some of these important parts are:
- The thermostat: helps to maintain a comfortable temperature depending on the settings
- The heat exchanger: is used to transfer heat and is used for both heating and cooling
- The blower motor: helps to distribute the air throughout the ductwork
- The condenser coil: also known as a condenser compressor, helps in cooling the air inside by releasing heat from indoors into the outdoors
- The evaporator coil: works to absorb heat and lower the temperature inside the home
- The ductwork: helps to distribute air throughout the entire home
These parts play a vital role in an HVAC system’s overall performance and should be properly taken care of during its lifespan.
Proper Maintenance
Scheduling routine maintenance is necessary to keep an HVAC unit running smoothly and efficiently. Homeowners who ignore maintenance risk their HVAC system breaking down in the dead of summer and having to wait weeks for a technician to become available to repair the system. Routine maintenance will also help the system produce and distribute warm or cool air more evenly throughout the home and prevent the need for a premature replacement.
Additionally, there are a few maintenance tasks that homeowners can do themselves, including changing the air filters. This important step can help maintain the system’s longevity and functionality. It should be done once every three months or more if the home is occupied by pets or allergy sufferers.
About Jerry’s Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning
Jerry’s Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning is a family-owned and operated company serving California’s Central Coast since 1993. They provide reasonable rates, same-day service, and 24/7 emergency service. Call them today for heating or air conditioning services in Santa Maria, CA.