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HVAC System 101: Guide To Understanding How HVAC System Works

Over the years, pollution and global warming have significantly affected many lives. Pollution and global warming make your family vulnerable to different diseases.

There are inventions like heating, ventilation, and air conditioning or HVAC systems to combat the adverse effects of pollution and global warming in our society.

Here is a guide on how HVAC System works and the things you should know:

What is an HVAC system?

An HVAC system provides heating and cooling effects to residences or commercial spaces. The purpose of an HVAC system is to provide comfort indoors.

What are the components of an HVAC system?

There are different components of an HVAC system, this includes:

Filters

The hvac filters are primarily for the protection of the HVAC system unit. An HVAC filter is a component of an HVAC system that filters impurities in the air. An HVAC filter gives a better air quality while filtering out dust, pollen, dander, and other small particles in the air you breathe.

There are different types of HVAC filters. Some of them include:

Fiberglass air filters

A fiberglass air filter is a disposable filter made from spun glass. It can filter out small contaminants and particles like pollen and pet dander.

Pleated air filters

A pleated air filter is a polyester and cotton folds-made filter. The pleated air filter can trap more impurities than a fiberglass air filter. It is fit for filtering mold spores, pollen, and pet danders.

HEPA Filter

A high-efficiency particulate air filter removes at least 99.97% of airborne particles. A HEPA filter can filter small microns like viruses, bacteria, dust, and pollens.

Refrigerant

A refrigerant is a working fluid in the HVAC system. The refrigerant can be either in a liquid or gas form. The refrigerant of an HVAC system absorbs the heat and transforms it into cold air. There are three common types of refrigerants, this includes:

R22 or Freon

An R22 is a chemical refrigerant used in HVAC systems. The United States stopped the production of an R22 refrigerant because of environmental damages.

Chlorofluorocarbons

Chlorofluorocarbons are from carbon, chlorine, and fluorine atoms. Chlorofluorocarbons increase greenhouse gas emissions harming the environment. So, many manufacturers of HVAC systems stopped using them.

R410A or Puron

An R410A is a hydro-fluorocarbon (HFC) but does not contribute to ozone depletion. This refrigerant is less harmful to the environment and offers better and more reliable air quality.

Evaporator Coils

An evaporator coil is a component where the refrigerant flows. You can locate the evaporator coil on the side of the fan coil outside of the furnace of the HVAC system.

Compressor

The compressor is the heart of an HVAC system. The compressor of an HVAC system circulates refrigerant. There are different functions of a compressor in the HVAC system, this includes:

  • the compressor moves the refrigerant from the evaporator and condenser coils
  • the compressor ensures the refrigerant becomes gas or liquid
  • it makes the heat transform into a cold air

Vents

A vent is a rectangle-shaped cover on walls, floors, and ceilings. A vent is where the air travels to go indoors. It covers the duct openings of the HVAC system.

Ductwork

Ductwork is a conduit or a passage that delivers the air in an HVAC system.

Condenser

A condenser or a heat pump removes heat from indoor air. A condenser of an HVAC system is responsible for the process of the dissipation of absorbed heat outside.

A condenser is necessary for an HVAC unit due to the following processes:

  • evaporation
  • condensation
  • compression

Blower motor

A blower motor transfers heated air through vents when using the HVAC system. The motor pumps the cool air to transfer inside. The blower motor serves the following functions:

  • regulates airflow
  • heating
  • cooling

How does an HVAC system work?

An HVAC system is for heating, ventilating, and air conditioning an indoor space. An HVAC system creates a heating effect during winter, where the heat from the outside transfers inside. The HVAC system produces a cooling effect during summer. The process involves using the refrigerant to transfer heat from the inside to the outside.

What are the three main functions of an HVAC system?

There are three main functions of an HVAC system, this includes:

Heating

The HVAC system generates electricity to render its heating properties. The heat transfers through the following methods:

  • convection
  • conduction
  • radiation

Ventilating

Ventilation is the transferring of cold air from the outside to the indoors. There are benefits of ventilation indoors, including:

  • monitoring the amount of fresh air
  • controlling the source of fresh air
  • provides good air quality indoors

Air conditioning

The air conditioning uses the components of the HVAC system to cool the air indoors. Air conditioning properties work for summer and hot weather.

What are the benefits of having an HVAC system?

There are many benefits of having an HVAC system, including:

  • filtering the air for a better indoor air quality
  • comfortability and safety
  • consistent heating and cooling effects
  • helps avoid air-transmitted diseases
  • energy conservation
  • regulating moisture indoors
  • gives you a proper sleep
Kimberly Atwood

Kimberly Atwood’s books have received starred reviews in Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, and Booklist. Kimberly lives in the Rocky Mountains with her husband, an exceptionally perfect dog, and an attack cat. Before she started writing historical research, Kimberly got a graduate degree in theoretical physical chemistry from Ohio State University. After that, just to shake things up, she went to law school at the University of London and graduated summa cum laude. Then she did a handful of clerkships with some really important people who are way too dignified to be named here. She was a law professor for a while. She now writes full-time.

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