While most people know the basic answer to the question “what is an HVAC system” – it is the machine responsible for heating and cooling a building – few understand how it actually works.
What the Acronym Means: What is an HVAC System?
In short, HVAC stands for the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning systems in the building.
When you know what it stands for, the acronym makes it easier to understand the answer to “What is an HVAC system.” The entire HVAC system works in concert to maintain the desired thermostat temperature for the building or a heating and cooling zone. The individual components do not even really work without the entire integrated system.
So, what is an HVAC system? It is a set of installations and machines designed to keep your home within a comfortable temperature range while maintaining a high level of indoor air quality.
The ‘H’ in HVAC
‘H’ stands for the heating component of an HVAC system. In other words, this is often a furnace or boiler that burns some type of fuel – usually heating oil, natural gas, or propane – to generate heat that is then pushed into the ventilation system.
The ‘V’ in HVAC
You cannot answer “What is an HVAC system” without explaining the ventilation. The ventilation is like the highway that air travels through in order for your HVAC system to maintain the appropriate temperature in your home. Ventilation ducts make sure that your home has good air flow – and they also vent out exhaust from your furnace, bathroom, and kitchen. A good ventilation system ensures proper and efficient air flow throughout the house.
The ‘AC’ in HVAC
The ‘AC’ part of the answer to the ‘What is an HVAC system’ question is probably the most obvious: it is the air conditioner. The air conditioner uses a condenser to pull the hotter air away from the rooms of a building, cools it with refrigerant coolant, and then pushes the heat into an evaporator that releases the heat.
Additionally, modern heat pumps can also operate to either cool or heat your home to perform the air conditioning or furnace function.
Why St. Louis Homeowners Should Know the Answer to “What is an HVAC System?”
Many homeowners are confused by their monthly energy bills – and others do not understand why it is useful to hire a trusted HVAC company to provide regular annual maintenance to their systems. Understanding the answer to the question “What is an HVAC system” helps homeowners to be more aware of all the mechanical factors that could be impacting their comfort and their pocketbooks.
Reading your HVAC system owners’ manual can help you diagnose simple issues – and do some simple repairs and filter replacements on your own, reducing your reliance on the experts. However, there are always some things that are best left to the experts. At Galmiche & Sons, our heating & air conditioning specialists can help St. Louis homeowners understand the answers to the hard questions about HVAC systems. Contact us today for a free estimate and to learn more!
