Introduction
It defines all the heating and cooling systems homeowners use to regulate the temperature and humidity inside their homes. Along with controlling temperature, HVAC systems also provide mechanical ventilation and filtration, which helps in improving the overall indoor air quality. Some examples of HVAC design systems include central air conditioning units, ductless mini-splits, furnaces, and boilers.
Types of HVAC Systems
Air Conditioning
All air conditioners work in a comparable way; they blow indoor air over tubes filled with refrigerant to remove heat and humidity from the air. The heated refrigerant then goes to the system's outside section, where it cools before returning indoors to begin the process again. However, every part of each system is packaged differently.
Boilers
Because they do not use air conditioning that is forced, boilers are a very unusual kind of HVAC equipment. Instead, boilers heat water, sometimes over its boiling point, to create steam, which is then circulated through a network of radiators throughout a structure. The air in every room is then warmed by the heated radiators. Boilers can be powered by natural gas, propane, heating oil, electricity, or even wood.
Heat Pumps
A heat pump system moves heat from inside to outside in the winter and inside to outside in the summer, offering both heating and cooling in one system. These systems are extremely efficient: an electric heat pump may heat your house while using roughly half the power of a similar furnace. They can, however, be costly to install, especially if you pick a type that utilizes renewable resources such as geothermal energy.
Packaged Systems
All components (heating, cooling, and ventilation) are housed in a single unit with this sort of system, which is often put on the roof or a concrete pad outside the structure. Packaged systems are commonly used in commercial buildings.
Radiant Heating and Cooling
Radiant systems circulate heated or cooled water through pipes in floors, walls, or ceilings for uniform temperature management. Radiant systems are effective and comfortable, but they are only employed in a few situations, such as in-floor heating.
Geothermal HVAC System
Geothermal systems use the earth's constant temperature to provide both heating and cooling. This is done by circulating fluid through underground pipes to exchange heat with the earth. Though geothermal systems can be more expensive to install initially, they are extremely energy-efficient and can provide long-term savings on energy bills.
