Whether you’re a homeowner trying to solve an issue or considering becoming an HVAC technician, it pays to understand the basics of your system. ATI offers HVAC programs that can help you pursue a career in the field.
The most popular kind of hvac is a split system that both heats and cools. These systems have indoor and outdoor units. Air circulates through ductwork, with supply registers blowing conditioned air and return vents pulling used air back to the air handler. Contact TAP Heating and Cooling for professional help.
The specialized field of HVAC is all about more than heating and cooling homes. The technology is important in commercial applications, too, as it keeps businesses, offices, and marine environments safe from humidity and temperature fluctuations that could damage sensitive materials or products. To understand the world of HVAC, it is helpful to know what the acronym stands for: Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning.
The first part of the HVAC equation — heating — is accomplished by furnaces, boilers, heat pumps and other types of thermal heating units. The second part, ventilation, involves circulating air to remove odors, moisture and other contaminants, and to ensure that fresh air is continuously brought in and stale air is exhausted.
Ventilation in hvac is performed by the air handlers, which circulate conditioned air throughout the house via ductwork. The air is pumped in through the return and exhausts out through the vents, while the air handlers filter it, change its temperature and adjust its humidity level. In this way, the system provides both heated and cooled air, as well as clean, healthy and comfortable indoor air.
A good mechanical ventilation system is important because the air inside buildings can become stale and polluted without proper circulation. It is also important to have a system that can regulate the flow of outside air into the building, and it should be designed to prevent energy waste by only heating or cooling rooms that are occupied.
A central ventilation system is usually the best option for large spaces because it can be used to control the flow of air in and out of many different parts of a building or business. These systems typically include supply and return ducts, vents, air handlers, filters and dampers. The supply ducts deliver conditioned air to the various rooms, the return ducts carry the conditioned air back to the air handler for reconditioning, the filters trap debris, and the dampers prevent the air from flowing too freely. The vents should be located close to the doors of a building to prevent excessive noise, but they should be placed away from sources of odors and pollutants such as restaurants, gas stations and industrial facilities.
Thermostats
The brains of HVAC systems, thermostats control heating and cooling processes to create a comfortable indoor climate. They also integrate with other components to manage ventilation and humidity levels. An understanding of how these key system controls work is essential for maximizing energy efficiency and comfort levels.
Thermostats come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but they all operate on the same basic principle. They use a sensor to sense temperature changes, triggering the system to turn on or off based on the settings you select. Most modern thermostats are designed to improve energy efficiency and provide homeowners with added convenience features.
Advanced programmable and smart thermostats allow you to set schedules for your system, optimizing its energy usage to save you money. For example, the system can lower your home’s temperature when you are at work and then raise it before you get home, preventing wasted energy consumption. Additionally, smart thermostats can learn your preferences over time, adjusting temperatures automatically for improved energy efficiency and comfort.
In addition to scheduling and programming, advanced thermostats can offer other convenient features like remote access through smartphone apps and integration with smart home systems. These thermostats can monitor your system and notify you of any problems, helping to ensure that the system stays working properly. They can also help you save on utility bills by reminding you to change your air filter regularly.
Regardless of the type of thermostat you choose, you should always perform routine professional maintenance to avoid unexpected breakdowns and repairs. A certified technician can thoroughly examine the thermostat and verify its accuracy, inspect its wiring, and remove dust or other debris that may interfere with performance. A professional can also help you choose the right thermostat for your system based on your specific needs and preferences, ensuring that it is compatible with your current system.
When a thermostat is not functioning properly, it can lead to erratic heating or cooling in your space. Common signs of a malfunctioning thermostat include a nonresponsive display, inaccurate temperature readings, and fluctuating temperatures in the room. If you notice any of these issues, call a professional immediately.
Ductwork
Your HVAC system’s ductwork delivers heated or cooled air from your central AC or furnace to different rooms in your home or business. A well-designed duct system helps maintain indoor air quality and keeps temperature regulated, but bad ductwork can contribute to poor indoor air quality, higher energy bills, and HVAC equipment failure.
Most homes have a ductwork network that distributes conditioned air to different rooms in the house. The ducts are usually located in the attic, crawl space, or walls and may be hidden from view. Ducts are typically made of fiberglass or sheet metal and can be either rigid or flexible. In newer homes, the ductwork is typically located within the insulated walls and attic space rather than being built into raised floors or dropped ceilings.
Ducts have both return and supply vents that distribute conditioned air. The return vents allow stale air to enter the ductwork and cycle back to the HVAC unit, where it’s warmed or cooled before being pushed back through the ducts to the room. The supply vents blow conditioned air out through the vents, which are often installed high on walls or near ceilings.
If the ductwork isn’t properly sized or installed, it can cause a traffic jam of air that puts extra strain on the HVAC equipment and leads to hot and cold spots throughout the home. The proper duct size and installation also reduces air leaks, which saves energy.
In addition to distributing conditioned air, the ductwork helps vent toxic gases produced during HVAC operation to the outside, especially in gas-powered furnaces and boilers. These toxic fumes can be harmful to humans and animals, so it’s important to have a carbon monoxide detector in your home or office.
A qualified professional should perform all changes and modifications to your ductwork. A professional will be familiar with design standards for ductwork and can ensure that your ducts are properly sized to meet the needs of your heating and cooling system. In addition, a qualified professional will use only the safest methods and materials for ductwork modifications. For example, he or she will never use cloth-backed tape for ductwork seams and joints; instead, mastic, butyl tape, foil tape, or another heat approved sealant should be used.
Filters
A filter is a key component of your HVAC system that cleans air as it passes through the blower and into the ductwork. It helps prevent the accumulation of dust, pet dander and other contaminants that can damage your equipment and decrease indoor air quality. Filters are available in a wide range of sizes to accommodate different HVAC systems and can be categorized by their ability to remove specific airborne pollutants. The performance of filters is rated by MERV, Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, and varies from 1 to 20; higher MERV ratings indicate more effective filtration but can restrict airflow.
Spun glass filters are the least expensive and least efficient option; they can only reduce particles in the 3 – 10 micron range, such as lint and dust. They can be purchased at most hardware stores and last up to 30 days before needing replacement.
Fiberglass pleated filters are made from cotton or polyester fabric that’s arranged into folds that increase surface area, making them more effective at catching a larger variety of pollutants than spun glass filters. They are also available in reusable or disposable versions and can last up to 10 years before needing to be replaced.
Electrostatic filters use a series of metal plates or grids that are electrically charged; as air passes through them, it becomes attracted to the positively-charged plates and gets trapped inside the filter. This type of filter is a good choice for homes with allergies or respiratory issues and can be reused, although regular maintenance is required to keep it working efficiently.
The most effective and expensive filter type is a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter, which uses a special media to trap airborne pollutants. They can be used to remove bacteria, viruses and other microscopic pathogens and are commonly installed in hospitals, cleanrooms and other facilities where high levels of airborne contamination are common. HEPA filters can be very restrictive and may require a specially designed system to operate properly, so they’re not recommended for home use.
Potassium permanganate filters are another option for filtering harmful particles from the air. As air passes through them, the potassium permanganate reacts with and oxidises harmful substances in the air, including VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and sulfur dioxide. Like electrostatic filters, these can be reusable but need to be washed regularly to avoid mold and bacteria growth.