How Does An HVAC System Work
How an air conditioning unit works is not much different from how a heating system works.
- The air intake receives the warm air from your indoor vicinity. This will pass through the evaporator coil.
- The transfer will then cool the air. The refrigerant gas will go through the condenser unit outdoors.
- And finally, it will then start returning indoors in a cooler, gaseous state. The evaporator coils would need to be cleaned at least once a year. That's pretty much the high-level overview of how an HVAC system works.
How an AC unit works depends on how efficiently its evaporator coils and its condenser unit work together. Once the coils freeze up, it may restrict the airflow or have insufficient refrigerant.
As for the condenser unit, you would want to give it a look once you experience failures. When looking at how HVAC works, the condenser has the most moving parts. It has the highest failure rate with many possible points of failure.
The name stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. It’s one of the most complicated systems in your home. Its many moving parts fill in many roles, making it a mystery to many.
HVAC plays a crucial role in the energy management strategies of the industry—many trends center around controlling its utility costs and the expense of its usage.
Even then, how does an HVAC system work? Knowing how HVAC works can be key to making sure it does not interrupt your business. You also get to save more when you know the best home HVAC systems that better suit your needs.
Don’t worry; we’ve got the answers laid out below.
More Details On How An HVAC System Works
Suppose you want to discover how to harness the potential of how an HVAC system works; here’s how. Let’s start by dissecting the important parts and then tackle the different operations that the system performs.
The Thermostat
The first crucial step of how an HVAC system works starts at the electrical element. It’s what we know more about the thermostat. This is part of the system that you will interact with the most, letting you change the temperature as you desire.
These are present on walls and have some programmable or manual settings. Ambient temperature changes trigger the thermostat to begin air circulation as needed.
When trying to learn how an air conditioning unit works, you want to start with the electrical elements. If there’s an issue, start with the programming of the thermostat. This is the most straightforward change that you can do.
Suppose there’s any failure; test for breaker issues. Check for the possibility of the thermostat’s internal batteries needing replacement.
The best home HVAC systems have some extra features available. This includes the ability to automate through the internet with smart home devices.
Air Return Vents
One of the standard parts of how an HVAC system works is the ventilation shaft, also known as the air return vents. These vent systems suck the air inside from the vicinity. This starts the first part of the ventilation cycle.
The fan system will process the air, sending it through a filter. It will then pass through the furnace or the air conditioning. This happens depending on the setting on the thermostat.
The air return vent is the easiest-to-handle part of the ventilation system. It needs some regular cleanup from the dust and small debris. The cleanup should happen at least twice to four times a year.
The Indoor Unit
The indoor unit is the most vital part of how an HVAC works. Depending on the product, you may have:
- a heating furnace
- air conditioning by condenser unit
- all-in-one system
Depending on what you have, you will have a different setup for your HVAC system. A key takeaway is that the best home HVAC systems should follow the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio or SEER. The SEER rating is a system that measures the total efficiency of a cooling system.
As of 2023, the national SEER requirement for all central split-type air conditioning is at 13 SEER for the Pacific Northwest.
How Does An HVAC System Work Vs. Central Heating System
For central heating systems with a furnace, here’s how it works. Combustion gases are generated through burners. When the thermostat asks for heating, it calls for the heat exchanger to start the process.
The heat exchanger will create a heat and air mixture through the air intake and fuel. The hot air moves through the ductwork and is transferred through an air distribution system.
There are at least four types of heating in the market. This includes boilers, gas, heating stoves, and electricity.
Once the hot air is ready, the blower will move the heated air, which will then go to the rooms inside your home. The best home HVAC systems should be mounted in closets or floors. These allow for easier service and reduce the chance of leaks and ceiling damage over a long time.
When there’s an issue with the heating, you would need either a heating technician to help with the furnace itself. The blower system needs to have efficient air movement to maintain durability throughout its lifetime.
The Value of Refrigerant
Remember that refrigerant is one of the most critical parts of the HVAC system. This liquid converts heat to cold and can lose efficiency over time, which is how an AC unit works. The refrigerant circulates, which means regular operation does not run it low.
If it runs low, consider having your air conditioning unit checked. Low refrigerant means there is a possibility of leaks in the lines.
Ask your trusted HVAC company to perform a maintenance routine and repair it. A good company will know that leakages come secondary to the loss of refrigerant.
Split Hybrid Systems
The best home HVAC systems will have hybrid systems that allow for heating and cooling to work. Depending on the thermostat, both systems will have to work for year-round comfort. This means both the furnace and the air conditioning need to share the same ductwork to perform the job.
The split HVAC system can help maintain the air quality in the entire home. This will protect you from the risk of allergens and pollutants all year round.
The Ventilation System
Many people tend to consider only central heating or central cooling when it comes to how HVAC works. They forget the third which is a vital part of the system, which is the ventilation system.
The ventilation system takes out the internal air from any home, which can be hot, moist, or stale. By using a fan unit shunts the indoor air and brings in fresh outdoor air.
When looking into how an AC unit works, the ventilation system should neither pressurize nor depressurize the house. You want your system to be adding and removing the exact quantities of fresh air and indoor air. This allows the correct facilitation of air within your home.
This ventilation type will not remove or add moisture to your air. Combine it with the correct filtration system. It should prevent pollens, allergens, and pollutants.
These types of ventilation work in all climates, regulating the total indoor environment with the ductwork and fan systems.
Ductworks
Ductwork is the complete system of pathways that allow the distribution of hot or cold air inside the home. It’s crucial to have your ducts rated with good waterproofing to prevent any rust and corrosion.
Ducts would need cleaning every two years, up to a max of 5 years. Dust accumulation can reduce the efficiency of your heating or air conditioning, so proper maintenance with a professional who knows how HVAC works is crucial.
Some Key Features Of How An HVAC System Works
There are some key takeaways when looking for the best home HVAC systems. There are a few considerations that you need to prevent any issues in the future. These are a few of the things to look for.
Correct Ductwork Structure
You want your ductwork to have the right size and balance. Have external insulation for the best efficiency. Steer clear of long, flexible ductwork.
You also want to have some balance dampers installed a bit away from the diffuser. This is to reduce noise in the diffuser grille.
Positioning Your Outdoor Unit
Have your outdoor units far away from areas where they are audible. Outdoor units are noisy, so they can disrupt the people in the house if they’re near bedrooms or living rooms.
You want to add your outdoor unit in areas where there is little foot traffic, away from roofing edges. This can reduce the chances of physical damage.
The Right Refrigerant
The EPA bans the use of air conditioning units that use the HCFC-22 refrigerant. This contributes to climate change and can damage the ozone layer.
The recommended refrigerant is the R-410A. This does not damage the ozone layer but still contributes to climate change. An appropriate technician should perform the installation.
Call An HVAC Expert Today
The best home HVAC systems are difficult pieces of electronics. They regulate your home’s year-long climate, which is vital to the health and comfort of your family.
How does an HVAC system work? It combines the healing ability during cold weather, air conditioning during summer days, and ventilation for proper air regulation. It’s a marvel of modern electronics and engineering.
Contact Fischer Heating for any additional questions you may have, or give us a call today at 206-202-9499. to give us the opportunity to serve you.