Have you ever stayed in a room where your body felt uncomfortable? Have you ever wondered why you were sweating a lot in one room while freezing in another? When these situations happen, the room you were in might be having problems with their HVAC systems. But what are HVAC systems and why do we need them?
What is an HVAC System?
One major design issue of modern buildings is climate control and comfort. HVAC is the acronym that stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. An HVAC system is the combination of equipment and infrastructure that controls the heating, cooling and airflow of an indoor space to give its inhabitants an optimum environment that can enhance their productivity and improve their day to day lives. An example would be their contribution to health, a well-regulated system that is adequately maintained is crucial in keeping homes free from molds and other harmful organisms. This is the reason why HVAC systems are a requirement for every home and commercial space.
Functions of an HVAC System and its composition
The three major functions of an HVAC system are heating, ventilation and air conditioning. Heating and air conditioning functions of an HVAC system are for the control of the indoor temperature of an indoor space. Inhabitants have the option to increase or decrease the temperature according to their taste and comfort.
Ventilation is a function of an HVAC system that allows for the proper flow of air within an area. Ventilation is also the process of replacing staled indoor air with new outside air in order to improve the overall air quality.
All three functions of the HVAC are interconnected with each other. External air that is vented into an indoor area needed to be cooled or heated depending on the temperature settings. Therefore, any air that is vented from the outside will either pass the air conditioning system to be cooled or pass through the heating system to reach the desired temperatures.
In the past, HVAC systems were composed of three separate systems specializing in each individual function namely; air conditioning system for cooling the air, heating system for increasing air temperature usually through a boiler which carries heated water throughout an area, and a ventilation system for producing a good air floor within an indoor area. Nowadays, there are advanced HVAC systems that use only equipment which can fulfill all the three functions.
Choosing the proper HVAC system that would cater to you and your family’s needs can be a daunting task at first but by using this guide, you’ll be able to narrow down the specifications you want in no time. Just ask these 5 questions:
- What is the age and size of your home?
- How many rooms do you want to air-condition?
- What is your local climate?
- How much are the utility costs in your area?
- What warranties do I need?
An HVAC system provides an economical way of maintaining your home’s temperature and humidity in an efficient way while also taking good care of the environment. If you’ve got more questions, you can always consult an HVAC engineer to determine the system that would fit your situation best.