HVAC Basics for Beginners

Most people don't give their home's HVAC system much thought until there's a problem. It is always a good idea to understand what makes up your system that works so hard to keep your home comfortable. Here are a few HVAC basics that help demystify the components in your system.

What Does HVAC Mean?

HVAC is an acronym for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. You often hear about heating and air conditioning. These two things would not be possible without proper ventilation.

Furnace or Boiler

• Most homes around our area have either a furnace or a boiler for heating. These are two different pieces of equipment; you either have one of the other.
• A furnace moves the air heated by the system's heat exchanger into the ductwork to blow out your air vents.
• A boiler heats water that then goes through a network of pipes/radiators along the walls of your home. Instead of using ductwork and vents, the warmth comes from the pipes.

Ductwork and Vents

Your home's ductwork provides the optimal amount of ventilation for your HVAC system. Air enters the system. Once heated or cooled, it goes throughout the network of ducts through air vents. These vents may be on your floor, wall, or ceiling.

Air Conditioner Components

Your home's air conditioner has components both inside and outside your home. The evaporator coil is inside your system's air handler, which is inside your furnace. This helps to cool your home. Refrigerant runs through the coil to absorb the heat energy out of the air in your home. The cooled air is then blowing through the ductwork and air vents in your home.

The outdoor component of your air conditioner is its condensing unit. This also contains its compressor. The refrigerant runs through the compressor. From here, the heat inside your home goes into the cabinet's aluminum condenser fins.

Thermostat

Your thermostat is the brains of your HVAC system. It controls the temperature in your home and whether your system is set to heat or to cool. If you have a smart thermostat, you can set programs that adjust your home temperature. It can also help you save money on your home's energy bills, too.

Call Us Today

As you can see, a lot is going on behind the scenes in your heating and cooling system, and sometimes things can go wrong. If you need help with your HVAC system, Ardmore Fresh Air is ready to help. We have been serving Niles and the surrounding Chicago metro area for over 40 years. Call us today at (847) 588-2400.