What is the Full Form of HVAC?
The full form of HVAC is “Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning”. The HVAC system includes everything you use for thermal control or regulation at home (such as air-conditioners), or in industry or an apartment building. The idea behind using an HVAC system is to ensure indoor comfort. The system is based on the principles of thermodynamics, heat transfer and fluid mechanics.
What is the need for an HVAC system?
Not just in your homes, HVAC systems are also used in skyscrapers, apartment complexes, industrial buildings, hospitals, laboratories, and even very large indoor environments. From the smallest of your personal appliances to some of the largest industrial equipment, these systems are everywhere, which is why you need to know the different types of HVAC systems.
HVAC system
Some common examples include the following:
- Furnaces that burn materials to provide heat (natural gas or propane).
- Boiler that heats water for steam radiators (gas or oil).
- Radiant floor or hydronic heating system (uses piping under the floor and can be fitted into wooden floors).
HVAC system for cooling
The most popular example of an HVAC system used for cooling, is an air-conditioner or AC. These come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from portable ones that can be mounted on a window to larger ones that can cool the entire house. Similarly, there are many that can be installed by owners while there are many that require expertise to install. Evaporative air coolers are a popular option and are used in areas with dry climates.
Whether you choose an HVAC system for heating or cooling, it will consume some amount of energy. Therefore, it is important that you go with an HVAC system that is energy efficient. This will ensure that your energy bills do not reach unreasonable levels. There are different types of HVAC systems that can control humidity levels – you may also have heard of humidifiers and dehumidifiers.
How do HVAC systems work?
The automatic onion device decides whether to heat or cool the space and at what temperature. When air from outside is pushed through these coils, it is either heated or cooled, as needed, before being let loose into the living space. From the rear of the system, air will be displaced and put back into the system. The diagram below shows how the system collects heat from a space and absorbs it and then pushes it into the air.
Different parts of the HVAC system
The HVAC system includes expansion valve, evaporator, compressor, condenser and receiver drier. Depending on whether the HVAC system is for heating or cooling, they can be used heat pumps, rooftop units, water source heat pumps, packaged HVAC such as AC, split-system HVAC, ductless systems, etc.