HVAC is vital to modern living, ensuring comfort, efficiency and sustainability. Understanding how it works empowers homeowners to partner with contractors who meet their specific needs.

An HVAC system warms or cools indoor air before circulating it, removing stale air, allergens, pollutants, moisture and odors. Dampers and louvers help ensure airflow is even, while low-global-warming-potential refrigerants promote environmental stewardship. Contact BEST HVAC COMPANIES IN CINCINNATI for more information.

If you’ve ever experienced a heating or cooling issue, you understand how essential your HVAC system is. Even if you aren’t an expert on all things HVAC, learning the basics can help you better appreciate your system and understand how it works.

The first thing to know is that not all HVAC systems are the same. Some are just air conditioning units, while others also include home heating. You’ll want to select a unit that will serve all of your needs, so it’s important to determine which components you’ll need.

Your home’s heating system may consist of a furnace or an electric heat pump. Both options work to circulate warm air through ductwork throughout the house. The furnace may be fossil fuel burning or powered by electricity, and it’s typically located in the garage, basement, attic, or a closet dedicated to this function. The heat pump is a different option, and it functions similarly to an air conditioner in the summer but operates differently during the winter.

To operate your heat pump, a series of metal tubes connects the indoor and outdoor units of the system. The evaporator coil inside the heat pump is filled with refrigerant, and it absorbs heat from the passing warm air in your home. The heat is then blown outside, and this process repeats to maintain your desired temperature.

The thermostat is the most visible component of your HVAC system and is usually mounted on a wall in a prominent position. The thermostat is programmed or set to a specific temperature, and it controls the operation of the entire system. If the thermostat is set too high, it will shut off the furnace or heat pump in order to save energy. If it’s set too low, the air will not be cooled to your preferences. However, most modern thermostats have a “smart” mode that adjusts your temperature settings automatically and uses less energy. This can save you a lot of money over the long run, especially if you are away from home a lot. This is a great feature to consider when selecting a new thermostat.

Cooling

The heating and cooling systems in homes can be complex, but they provide important benefits. These include regulating indoor temperature, improving air quality and ensuring proper ventilation. They also help to control energy costs and reduce harmful allergens. Understanding the basics of home heating and cooling can be useful for any homeowner. This guide will explain how HVAC systems work and the different parts that make up these vital products.

The basic components of a home HVAC system include a furnace, air conditioner, thermostat, ductwork and vents or registers. However, the specific configurations of these products can vary based on where and when they were installed. Nevertheless, they are all based on the same essential build concepts.

Heating units raise indoor temperatures, whereas air conditioners lower them and dehumidify the air. In addition, ventilation systems circulate fresh air throughout a building to prevent the accumulation of stale air and pollutants.

Cooling works by transforming liquid refrigerant into a gas that is passed over coils in an evaporator. During this process, the refrigerant absorbs heat from the air in the evaporator, reducing its temperature. This cooler air is then dissipated through the condenser unit and into the outdoor environment. In this way, cooling and ventilation functions are combined in an efficient, centralized system.

Whether you are looking to purchase a new system or repair an existing one, it is vital that you understand the key factors in an HVAC’s longevity and performance. In order to ensure your system’s longevity, you should avoid high-usage rates and use a properly sized system for your home.

An efficient system can save you money and keep your home comfortable all year round. The key to a high-performance HVAC system is regular maintenance and proper installation.

As a part of our HVAC education series, we’ve broken down the most common HVAC terms you should know. From SEER and HSPF to the difference between single-stage and variable-stage heating, we’ve included the information you need to choose the right system for your home. If you have any questions, contact Galooli today!

Ventilation

Ventilation is a vital component of an HVAC system that works hand in hand with heating and cooling to maintain optimal indoor comfort and air quality. Proper ventilation brings fresh outdoor air into interior spaces, removing pollutants and control moisture levels to create a healthy environment for building occupants. Without ventilation, pollutants and toxins can accumulate inside homes or commercial structures, contributing to poor indoor air quality that can exacerbate respiratory issues, cause allergic reactions and negatively affect productivity and general well-being.

When people think of ventilation, they often imagine opening a window to let the fresh air in. However, doing so is not always possible, especially in Southern California when temperatures routinely soar into the 100s. HVAC systems offer a more practical solution with mechanical ventilation that is designed to provide constant, controlled indoor air exchanges.

A typical ventilation system is comprised of a network of fans and ductwork that work together to draw in outdoor air, distribute it throughout the house or commercial space and quickly expel polluted indoor air. A balanced ventilation system introduces and exhausts equal amounts of fresh outdoor air to ensure proper indoor air circulation and maximized energy efficiency.

Ventilation systems also remove smoke, fumes, dust, bacteria, carbon dioxide and other gases from conditioned circulating air to improve indoor air quality. They can even help with humidity levels by extracting excess water vapor from the air and returning it to the indoor atmosphere.

Health care facilities are especially reliant on effective ventilation to keep patients and staff safe. To reduce the risk of infection, they are required to meet specific ventilation standards. To do this, they are required to have a ventilation system that complies with Project Firstline and other guidelines set by the American Society for Healthcare Engineering (ASHE).

In order to comply with these standards, hospital HVAC systems must be properly designed, installed, maintained and regularly inspected for signs of problems. A common problem is insufficient airflow, which can be caused by dirty filters and clogged ductwork that restrict the flow of air and allow unwanted pollutants to circulate throughout the facility.

Filters

Keeping HVAC filters clean or replaced is one of the most important maintenance tasks you can perform to protect your indoor air quality and extend your system’s lifespan. A dirty filter inhibits the flow of air and forces your system to work harder. It can also increase your energy costs, as the system uses more energy to compensate for less airflow.

Filters come in a wide variety of sizes, materials and filtration efficiencies. It is best to purchase a filter that matches your system’s specifications. For example, a standard fiberglass filter may be too restrictive and cause the blower to overwork. However, a higher-efficiency pleated filter is more likely to provide better protection without creating a dramatic pressure drop.

A filter’s MERV rating indicates its ability to capture airborne particles such as pet dander, dust, pollen and mold spores. A filter’s filtration capacity is measured in microns, with higher ratings capturing smaller particles. For reference, a human hair is 50 microns in diameter.

High-efficiency and high-MERV rated filters seem to be beneficial because they catch more particulates, but these types of filters are typically constructed with denser materials that can create excessive resistance to airflow. This can strain the blower, which leads to system failure and lower energy efficiency.

The proper filter size can dramatically affect your HVAC system’s overall performance. An improperly sized filter will block airflow, which can lead to overheating and reduce system efficiency. An HVAC professional can help you select the right air filter for your home and suggest a schedule to keep it clean. They can also inspect your system for gas leaks, tighten loose bolts and examine fans and coils to ensure it is functioning safely. This service will save you money on repair and energy costs in the long run. It is also a good idea to schedule an annual tune-up for your HVAC system. During the tune-up, a qualified technician can check for refrigerant leaks and ductwork problems and offer a variety of other benefits for your home’s comfort. A HVAC professional can also clean your ductwork, tighten connections and lubricate the blower.