HVAC is an acronym that stands for Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning. Most people refer to it simply as air conditioning, but there’s a great deal more to it. Here we provide the basics that you need to know.
Types of HVAC Systems
While anything from a furnace to a wall-mounted air conditioner could be considered HVAC, the term is most often used in referring to the modern "whole home" systems where both heating and cooling are centralized. This system greatly improves comfort, as people no longer need to rely on space heaters, which heat unevenly, and wall or window air conditioners that blow cold air in mostly one direction.
There are many types of HVAC systems. Those with a heat pump are the most popular. There is also a type where the air conditioner and furnace form one unit, and combination gas furnace and heat pump systems can save considerably on utility costs.
Whole home systems can cut utility bills and greatly increase the livability of a home. Keeping a home comfortable is important and the whole home systems are the best choice for comfort and efficiency.
What Makes Up Your HVAC System?
HVAC refers to the complete heating, ventilation and air conditioning system – not just the heating and cooling equipment. Whole home systems usually consist of an outdoor unit and an indoor unit that contains the blower, cooling coils and air filter. The other main element of an HVAC system is the ductwork that channels the heated or cooled air to the different rooms of the home. This consists of a main trunk line with branching sidelines that lead to different locations. The trunking could be located in the attic or under the house, as long as it’s out of sight. Another important part of the HVAC system is the exhaust system which eliminates old, dirty or toxic air from the home.
The Future of HVAC
HVAC is still evolving. New and more efficient technologies are constantly emerging, including the new solar-powered hybrid systems. New homes are more and more frequently designed around sustainable HVAC systems (including solar, geothermal and wind), while improvements in HVAC technology are making it easier to upgrade older homes.
While all HVAC systems must meet federal and state mandates for performance, this doesn’t mean that they are all the same quality or efficiency. If you’re planning to upgrade or purchase a new system, your local Building Energy Pros affiliate will ensure that you get the best system for your needs.
Other HVAC solutions:
- HVAC Maintenance: Tips to Keep Your Equipment Running
- What is HVAC? HVAC is an acronym that stands for Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning.
- Who Invented Air Conditioning? Air conditioning is a modern convenience that we take for granted.
- How to Choose an HVAC Contractor This article will help you choose an HVAC Contractor.
- Superior HVAC Energy Efficiency By Upgrading Your HVAC System…And Other Fixes
- HVAC: What is it? The Basics Explained
- HVAC Design: The Importance of Properly Sized HVAC Equipment
- HVAC / Air Conditioning: A Quick Primer and History
- Sizing Up HVAC Prices: How to Choose the Right Air Conditioner
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Your home energy audit proved to be very informative and helpful. I was not aware of the updraft created inside our walls because of the balloon framing construction. You said that that can cause heat to be pulled out of the house with the draft going up inside the walls and should be re-mediated. You also said that the attic insulation was insufficient and that fiberglass batts can leave spaces for around the edges causing heat loss and that it should have blown in insulation on top of what was there to seal the whole attic and increase the r factor. After going over your findings and telling me how you would fix the problems you told me how I could do it myself with stuff from the Home Center and for a quarter of the cost. Well, I did. I went into the basement and filled the bottom of the wall joist with unfaced insulation where they set on the sill plate. I then cut one inch foam board the size for each space and set it in and the sealed the edges of that with expanding foam as well as the sill plate to the foundation. I also sealed the sill plate to the foundation where the joist ran along it, as well as the top of those joist where it made contact with the subflooring. Next I went to the home center and rented their blown insulation machine and got ten bales of the insulation. I filled the attic on top of the batt insulation with about six inches giving another r-19 factor on top of the r-19 that was there. You said that the blown in would also help seal the heat loss around the edges of the batt. The work in the basement cost $144.00 and the work in the attic cost $328.00. After the 30% federal energy tax credit it will end up costing me about $330.00, which you said I should recover in savings in the first year. Thank You for all your advice and expertise. You made me aware of things I should consider and did.
Tommy Thompson