HVAC Explained
You probably know that CTR Heating & Air Conditioning is an HVAC company…but what does that even mean? In this post we’re going to explain what an HVAC system is, list out some common components, and take some of the mystery out of this huge system that runs throughout your home.
First up, HVAC is an acronym that stands for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning. When we talk about HVAC, we’re talking about the full comfort system that’s used to heat and cool your home. In addition to heating and cooling (the most common things people think of when they hear HVAC), a complete HVAC system may also include the components needed to provide improved indoor air quality as well.
Sometimes HVAC is confused with AC. AC, or air conditioning, simply refers to air conditioning on its own. And here’s a fun fact: every AC is part of an HVAC system but not every HVAC system includes AC!
In addition to the equipment needed to heat and cool the air, a complete HVAC system has multiple units and parts, both inside and outside your home, that all work together doing different jobs to bring you the complete home comfort you need. While there are many different components that can be part of an HVAC system, below are a few of the ones you’re most likely to see in your system, plus what they do:
Air Conditioner: cools your home by removing heat and humidity from inside and transferring it outside.
Heat Pump: uses refrigerant to absorb, transport, and release heat, and they can reverse the flow of that refrigerant depending on if you need heating or cooling. Heat pumps are powered by electricity, not fossil fuels.
Furnace: creates heat by burning a fuel source like natural gas or propane. The heat is then distributed throughout your home, in order to increase the indoor temperature.
Air Handler: circulates both warm and cool air throughout your entire home.
Filter: works to eliminate dust and other airborne contaminates from circulating through your home when the HVAC system is running.
Ductwork: carries the heated and cooled air to various parts of your home.
Thermostat: allows you to control your indoor temperature. When you change the temperature on your thermostat, it signals to the rest of your HVAC system your home needs to be warmer or cooler.
The goal of your HVAC system is to make your home comfy. By combining your air conditioner, furnace, air handler, ductwork, thermostat and even some other units like a humidifier or air purifier, your home’s HVAC system takes on the big role of providing year-round comfort for you and your family.
And, for the most part, your home’s comfort system does this all with very little interaction from you. Once you’ve set or programmed your thermostat, your system takes over and runs happily in the background.
But, like every complex system, your home’s HVAC system may need some love and intervention. One of the most common things a homeowner will need to be aware of is ensuring your HVAC filter (sometimes called an air filter or media filter) is clean and free from too much buildup. A clogged or dirty filter can restrict airflow and lower its ability to remove airborne particulates. If it’s time for a new filter in your your system, we have a complete selection available online in our filter shop.
And if your HVAC system is ever not performing the way you expect, that’s where we come in. As one of Utah’s most trusted HVAC companies, we have over 20 years of experience keeping our customer’s homes comfortable using high-efficiency furnaces, AC units, ductless mini split systems, heat pumps, and more. If you need service on an existing system or if you’d like to chat about a new or upgraded system, please give us a call at 801-999-4220 or schedule an appointment online and we’ll be happy to help.
