What Does HVAC Mean, And What Does It Stand For?
Posted: September 3, 2020 by Andy

You've heard the common term HVAC many times, but do you know what it stands for? What does it mean? While you may have a rough idea of what the term refers to, you may wonder how it relates to your home and the systems that keep it hot and cold. Hey Neighbor Heating & Cooling provides HVAC repairs and new installations, and we have all the details on HVAC fundamentals. Read on!

So, what is HVAC?

The acronym HVAC is short for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning. Simple, eh? The term refers to all the systems used in your home to move air between areas and the temperature adjustment of your space. Your HVAC system's primary responsibilities are to keep you warm and cozy in the winter and cool and comfy in the summer. Your HVAC system also cleans and filters the air that you breathe and regulates your home's humidity levels. They're all essential tasks that your HVAC system performs day-in and day-out with exceptional reliability.

How does an HVAC system work?

Your home probably has a central heating and cooling system that uses the same blower to circulate heated or cooled air via your home's ductwork. Your HVAC system does a bit more than just heat and cool your space, though. It also enhances the quality of the air in your house. You may be aware that there are many different types of HVAC systems, but they all have the same general components:

Drawing in fresh air

Known as natural ventilation, this process is how fresh air is delivered into your home. It refers to open doors, windows, vents, and so on. This type of ventilation is essential to remove odors, moisture, and carbon dioxide (CO2) and replenish your home's oxygen levels.

Mechanical ventilation typically uses a powered blower or fan to forcefully move air in and out of your house. Once the air is drawn in by the ventilation system, it is pulled into an air handling unit where it pushes the air through a filter that removes dust, dirt, allergens, and other particles from your home's air. Next, depending on the season, the air is either heated or cooled. Once your air is cleaned and heated or cooled, it's distributed throughout your home via the ducts.

HVAC's main components

While the HVAC acronym piles heating, ventilation, and cooling together, each of these functions utilize different equipment to do the job.

Your furnace is the primary piece of equipment in your HVAC system, the most important, and uses the most energy. It takes heated air from the heat exchanger and moves it through the ducts in your home, warming your home's interior.

Your air conditioner operates similarly as your furnace and uses your furnace's blower. Air passes over refrigerant-filled tubes or coils and is then pushed out through your home's ducts to make your space cool and comfortable!

Your home's ductwork is responsible for moving the warm or cool air throughout your home - in other words, ventilating it. For your system to function properly, air must be pulled back into the system to be recirculated. Without ventilation, your HVAC system wouldn't work! During the ventilation process, your home's air is also passed through filters, making it clean and healthy for your family to breathe!

As you can see, your home's HVAC is responsible for your comfort in every season! Now you know how it works and what the letters stand for. Knowledge is power, and it'll help you make more informed decisions regarding its service and when the time comes to upgrade it to a new, more efficient system.

If you're considering a new HVAC system installation or need repairs to your furnace or AC, give us a call at 877-247-7661. We're licensed, bonded, and insured, and our expert technicians are available 24/7 for all of your HVAC needs. That's how neighbors should treat neighbors!™