Your Home’s HVAC System Explained
We talk a lot about your home’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. But what actually makes up an HVAC system? Sometimes called a comfort system, an HVAC system are all the components that come together to keep your home comfortable year-round. Let’s take a look at a typical HVAC system and what each component does to keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
Basic Parts of an HVAC System
Thermostat: This is the most obvious portion of your HVAC system, and the piece you'll interact with most. Usually installed on an easily accessed walls, it can be set manually and programmed to keep your home at your ideal temperature. When the temperature in your home gets too hot or cold, the thermostat triggers your HVAC system to start circulating air as needed.
Furnace: Your furnace is the star of your HVAC system, and it can be huge—it'll require the most space out of all of the different components. The furnace is designed to heat air, which is then distributed to different portions of your home via ductwork or piping. Furnaces use varied heat sources, including solar energy, heat pumps, electric resistance, and combustion.
Evaporator coil: The evaporator coil is used to cool down the air when your thermostat is set to a lower temperature. This cold air is then funneled throughout your home.
Condensing unit: This unit is found on the outside of your home and filled with what is called refrigerant gas. When the refrigerant is cooled, the condensing unit pumps this liquid to the evaporator coil to be transformed into gas again.
Vents: These are the outlets that help distribute heated and cooled air from the duct system into the various rooms of your home. They're generally found near the ceiling with angle slats, designed to send the air downward. It's important to ensure these vents don't become blocked.
Refrigerant lines: These lines carry refrigerant to the condensing unit in the form of gas. This gas is transformed to liquid form, then transferred back to the evaporator coil.
These are the most common components you’ll typically see in a modern HVAC system. There are a few other setups to be aware of as well.
Different Types of HVAC Systems
Heating and air conditioning split system: This is the traditional type of HVAC system. It has components both in and outside of the home. Generally, it contains an air conditioner designed to cool refrigerant outside of your house, and a furnace with a fan or coil inside the house. These systems feature ductwork, which carries air throughout the various rooms of your home. Newer, energy-efficient split systems offer special accessories including air purifiers, cleaners, and humidifiers.
Ductless mini-split system: This system, as its name implies, is designed to function without ductwork. Also known as a duct-free split, this can be a good option for retrofitting homes with non-ducted heating systems. They’re also a good option for rooms that can’t be outfitted with distribution ductwork.
Zoned systems: This type of HVAC system lets you cool or heat different areas of your home by controlling valves or dampers within the ductwork. These dampers are used to selectively block airflow. Zoned air systems can save you a great deal of money, as they allow you to control which areas are heated or cooled at specific times.
Humidity & allergen control: Most modern systems offer optional humidity and allergen control features. Humidifiers and dehumidifiers can be added depending on your climate needs. These systems let you automatically control the humidity levels throughout your home when your HVAC system is running. In some parts of the country, humidity can be as much of a problem as high temperatures. Ever heard this weather forecast? "Temperature is 90 degrees, feels like 100 degrees." You can thank humidity for that. It's important that your air conditioning system provides more than cold air; your investment should offer you an overall comfortable environment, which can sometimes only be reached through humidity control.
No matter your system, CTR Heating & Air Conditioning is committed to keeping it running smoothly year-round. If you need service, support, or even an all-new system, give us a call and one of our friendly techs will walk through everything with you. Ready to schedule? Try our convenient online scheduling tool to set up an appointment. We’re here when you need us!
