HVAC stands for heating, ventilation and air Conditioning. It’s most most often pronounced “H-Vac,” with emphasis on the letter “H.” You may sometimes see it listed as HVACR, in which the “R” stands for refrigeration. Let’s break it down further.

Heating

Heating systems provide warm air that keeps you comfortable during cooler times of the year. Common types of heating systems are furnaces (both fuel-burning and electric), heat pumps and boilers. Furnaces burn fuel or use electricity to power heating elements that generate warm air. Heat pumps use a refrigerant to capture and move heat from place to place. Boilers heat water, which is then used as a heat source for the building. Forced-air systems produce heat and distribute it via the ductwork using powerful fans. Radiant systems circulate hot water or use heating elements that give off heat. Geothermal systems use the earth or a body of water as a source of heat capture and release.

Ventilation

Ventilation provides a steady circulation and flow of air into your residential or commercial space, introducing fresh outdoor air while removing stale indoor air. This process helps remove airborne particulates such as dust, mold or pollen. It disperses fumes and odors while also removing excess moisture from your indoor environment.

Air Conditioning

Air conditioning cools your home or commercial structure during the hotter days of the year. Air conditioners use a refrigerant that circulates through the system and changes from a liquid to a gas and back again. As it changes state, the refrigerant captures or releases heat. In the evaporator, the refrigerant absorbs heat as it changes to a gas. In the condenser, it releases heat as it returns to its liquid form. This process produces the cool air that is then distributed via a forced-air system.

For more information on what HVAC stands for, as well as what it means to your home, check out Bill Joplin’s Air Conditioning & Heating’s HVAC solutions, or call 888-414-4655.