HVAC systems are a common term in the construction industry; every construction industry professional is aware of HVAC systems, and they are one of the most important aspects during the construction of a building.

What is HVAC?

HVAC stands for Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning; the role of an HVAC system is to maintain the temperature so that people living inside the home feel comfortable. HVAC systems keep your home cool in summer and warm in winter; in short, they adjust the home temperature according to the weather condition. HVAC systems are not particular about homes; they are used in residential and commercial buildings as well.

Components of the HVAC System

An HVAC system consists of many different components that are planted inside as well as outside the home, all collectively doing the job of controlling temperature, humidity, and air quality inside a home. Below some mostly used HVAC components are mentioned.

Air Conditioner:

Air Conditioner absorbs the heat and humidity from the home and transfers it to the environment this way it cools down your home. A good-sized air conditioner can keep your home cool in extremely hot and humid conditions.

Furnace:

Some heat pumps use electricity to heat while furnace burns natural resources such as gas and oil to generate heat. Then this generated heat distributed throughout the home to increase the inside temperature.

Air Handler:

Air handlers distribute the cool and warm air throughout the home to maintain the temperature. Air handlers are usually connected with heat pumps but can also be connected with air conditioners.

Ductwork:

Ductwork or Duct is a system of pipes that carry the air through the different HVAC units. Proper installation and regular maintenance of ductwork are needed otherwise it can cause severe problems.

Humidifier/ Dehumidifier

Many HVAC systems have humidifiers their job is to add moisture in dry air in hot weather, whereas dehumidifiers remove the extra moisture from the humid air in cold weather.

Air Purification Systems:

Air Purification System is not that important for the HVAC system it’s an additional part. Air purifier captures bacteria, viruses, and other pollutants before they enter in HVAC system and improve the home’s indoor air quality.

Thermostat:

The thermostat is like the brain of the HVAC system, it helps to control indoor temperature. The change in thermostat temperature signals other HVAC components that the home needs to be cooler or warmer.

Boilers:

A boiler is the heart of the heating system that ignites the fuel to heat water. In winter this heated water is sent through the pipes and radiators to heat a home.

Geothermal Heat Pump:

Geothermal heating systems are nothing but geothermal pumps that collect the heat from the nearby water source or from beneath the earth. The geothermal heating system requires less electricity as compared to other heat pumps which is why these systems are more efficient.

Radiant Heating:

Many HVAC systems have humidifiers the function is to add moisture to dry air during the summer, whereas the dehumidifier removes extra moisture from the humid air during the winter.

How Does HVAC Work?

The core principle of an HVAC system is to take the fresh air from the environment then cool down or heated according to weather conditions before it circulates throughout the home or in any specified area. Now let’s understand each process one by one. Once the HVAC system is installed in your home you can control the temperature inside the home with a thermostat.

Heating Process:

The HVAC heating process involves convection, conduction, and radiation with the help of heating equipment like heat pumps and boilers.

Ventilation Process:

In the HVAC system ventilation process keeps the indoor and outdoor airflow clean and consistent. To keep the temperature under control it collaborates with cooling and heating systems.

Air Conditioning Process:

The Air Conditioning process is the most important part of the HVAC system. In an HVAC system, the air conditioning process involves cooling down the space by removing heat and moisture. The system functions by passing refrigerant through a cycle of compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation.