HVAC systems are more than just a way to heat and cool homes. They also improve air quality by removing pollutants and bringing in fresh air.
Keeping up with routine maintenance can help you lower your energy bills and extend the life of your equipment. Contact Pro Air Install & Repair to learn more about costs, key terms, products and basic maintenance schedules.
Besides cooling, another function of an HVAC system is heating. This is when your home system heats the air in order to keep it comfortable during the cold months. The hvac heating part of your system works in the same way as an air conditioner. The air in your home is heated with the help of natural gas, propane, oil or electricity. Then, it is blown into the house via ductwork and vents.
The hvac heating in your home is controlled by the thermostat, which is where you set the desired temperature. The rest of the system goes into action when the thermostat indicates that the air in your home is too cool or too warm.
If you have a traditional gas furnace, the fuel source is the fuel pump that is either underground or attached to your home via a pipe. When the thermostat signals that your home is too cold, the reversing valve in the outdoor unit turns on and begins to pull heat from the ground or from the air. This is transferred to the air in your home through the air handler, where it is blown into each room.
A more modern alternative to a traditional furnace is the heat pump, which also works as an air conditioning unit when it’s not heating your home. It uses the same parts as an air conditioner, but it operates in reverse. When the reversing valve is activated, it draws heat from the air in your home and transfers it to the outside unit. This is then pushed back into your home through the air handler, where the ducts distribute it throughout the house.
Other types of HVAC systems combine the air conditioning and heating units into one unit. This type of system is more efficient than separate systems because it uses a single power source, and it can also work in cold climates.
It is important to have a professional perform the installation of your hvac system, especially when it comes to the air ducts. The ducts should be properly sized and sealed in order to ensure that the conditioned air is distributed evenly throughout the home. It is also important to label the various components of the hvac system in order to facilitate operations and maintenance. Ideally, the labels should be easy to read and durable enough to stand up to frequent use.
Cooling
The cooling part of an HVAC system takes the heat out of circulating air, making it more comfortable. It can also help remove excess humidity from the air. Cooling equipment can be as simple as an evaporator and fan or it could involve a more complex compressor and condenser. Whatever the exact equipment, it is essential that the resulting air has a consistent temperature and is free of moisture.
The first step in this process is to bring in outdoor air. This can be accomplished through natural ventilation through windows or doors, or by forcing air through ducts. Depending on the climate, this may or may not be necessary, but it is important to remember that indoor air should always be cleaner than outside air.
Once the outside air has been brought in, it must be cooled before being sent into the building. This can be done by using a conventional air conditioning unit or a more advanced energy-efficient system that uses a heat pump. These systems can save money and energy by heating and cooling the same air, so it is more efficient to do so than to cool it separately.
Unlike the evaporator and fan in an air conditioning unit, which are powered by electricity, a heat pump is driven by mechanical energy, such as a gas or oil furnace. During operation, a heat pump can produce ten times as much energy as it consumes. It can also use far less fuel than a combustion-based heating system.
In some cases, an HVAC system will have a special mode called the economizer mode. When it is activated, the control system opens the outside air damper and closes (fully or partially) the return air damper. This allows the system to use outdoor air to meet the demand for cool air, reducing energy consumption and lowering operating costs.
If you are thinking of installing an HVAC system, be sure to contact a professional. While it is possible to self-install certain equipment like window AC units, a full system requires extensive knowledge and proper licensing to ensure that your home is protected.
Ventilation
Ventilation is the movement of air into or out of a space. Traditionally, ventilation was accomplished through windows and doors opened and closed as needed. However, today’s homes are constructed with much tighter envelopes that prevent natural ventilation, so mechanical ventilation is needed. Ventilation systems consist of air handlers, ducts, and return vents that move contaminated indoor air out of the building while keeping conditioned outdoor air inside. These systems also remove moisture and heat from the indoor air to maintain a comfortable temperature.
To keep viruses from spreading in a house, homeowners can use fans to help blow virus particles out of rooms. In addition, they can run their heating and cooling systems at a higher speed when guests are visiting to increase ventilation. This will move virus particles quickly to the outdoors where they can be eliminated.
A house with a ducted HVAC system usually has an air handler located in the basement or garage, which blows warm or cool air into ducts that run throughout the home. The ductwork is insulated to conserve energy. Depending on the type of ductwork used, there may be one or more air return vents for the conditioned indoor air to return to its source.
The ducts and the air handler are connected by a series of duct pieces called plenums. Typically, there is a supply plenum that brings in outdoor air, and a return plenum that draws fresh air from the indoor spaces.
Ventilation is used in residential, commercial and industrial structures; in vehicles like cars, trains and planes; and in confined spaces such as mines and tanks. Ventilation is also used in hospitals to control infection by delivering large volumes of clean air to patients and personnel.
A ventilation system must be designed so that the components are easily accessible for operation and maintenance. The OSH Answers document Indoor Air Quality – Ventilation discusses how to design and operate a ventilation system to ensure that it provides enough fresh, contaminant-free air to all spaces in the school. Ideally, the ventilation system should operate at a differential pressure of zero to 0.03 in. w.g. (0 to 7 Pa) positive to reduce the introduction of unconditioned, moist outside air and contaminants into occupied spaces.
Air Purification
Air purification is a crucial part of your HVAC system, removing particles and pollutants that could be harmful to your health. Some of the most common contaminants include dust, pollen, pet dander, mold spores, and smoke. A professional can help you decide what kind of air purification solution is right for your home and provide you with a full installation.
Most HVAC systems use mechanical filters to reduce the concentration of airborne contaminants. These filters operate through the process of straining to trap debris and other particulates in the filter media. The size of these particles determines the filter’s MERV rating, with higher ratings indicating greater efficiency.
In addition to mechanical filters, some HVAC systems use electronic filters. These filters use electrical energy to negatively or positively charge particles, which allows them to be removed from the air. While these systems can remove larger particles than mechanical filters, they aren’t as efficient.
Many homes are located near industrial sites that emit air pollution. These can include power plants, chemical factories, and paper mills. These pollutants can also enter your home through the air vents in your hvac. Airborne pollutants can cause a variety of symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, watery eyes, and nose congestion. These symptoms can prevent you from getting a good night’s sleep.
An in-duct air purification system can eliminate these pollutants before they reach your air vents and cause any health issues. Moreover, they can also extend the lifespan of your HVAC system by reducing the number of repairs it will need to undergo.
There are a variety of different types of air purifiers you can choose from. One of the most effective is a UV filter that uses ultraviolet light to kill bacteria and other pathogens. These filters are usually used in tuberculosis wards.
Other air purification solutions include carbon filters that use activated carbon to reduce the odor of volatile organic compounds in the air. These chemicals, such as gasoline, benzene, and formaldehyde, release odors when they break down at room temperature. Air purifiers with this feature can eliminate odors and prevent occupants from experiencing nausea, breathlessness, and cognitive problems.