HVAC systems control temperature, humidity, and movement of air throughout a space. They are used in homes for comfort, and in commercial settings to protect products from extreme temperatures and moisture.
Trained HVAC professionals assess building size, insulation, and occupancy to determine the best system for a space. They also perform load calculations to avoid oversizing, which wastes energy. Contact MASON HEATING AND COOLING to learn more.
Many of us take heating for granted, but it’s the foundation of hvac. It regulates the temperature and air quality of indoor spaces, providing comfort throughout the year. It also protects sensitive products and equipment from damage due to extreme temperatures and humidity.
In its simplest form, hvac involves using fans and ductwork to circulate air and warm or cool it as needed. Some systems use gas furnaces, boilers or heat pumps to generate and distribute warmth while others use electric heaters or portable spot coolers. Some HVAC systems even offer a combined cooling and heating function using reversing valves to change the direction of airflow.
Ventilation is another vital aspect of hvac. It brings in fresh outdoor air and expels stale, polluted air, preventing the buildup of hazardous contaminants in indoor spaces. Ventilation can occur naturally through open windows, but it’s often aided by fans and ductwork in HVAC systems.
One of the best things about a well-designed and maintained hvac system is its ability to reduce energy costs by maintaining a comfortable temperature while circulating air and removing pollutants. HVAC professionals can help you choose a system that’s properly sized to accommodate your space and needs. They can also provide maintenance to keep your hvac working at peak efficiency.
When it comes to maintaining your hvac system, the most important thing is regular preventative maintenance. A professional inspection can identify potential problems and fix them before they become costly repairs. Some signs that your hvac may need maintenance include:
Cooling
The cool breeze you enjoy on a hot summer day and the warm fire that keeps you cozy in winter are made possible by heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. Together, these systems regulate temperature and humidity, keep stale indoor air from building up and circulate fresh, clean air to ensure a healthy, comfortable environment.
HVAC professionals maintain, repair and install these systems, which are typically designed for specific spaces. They can work in a variety of settings including residential, commercial and industrial. HVAC technicians have a high demand and can choose from a variety of training programs that range from 6-month certificates to 2-year associate degrees.
While the most common form of hvac equipment is an air conditioner, there are many different types and sizes. Each system has a SEER rating that indicates how energy efficient it is. In general, higher SEER ratings mean greater efficiency.
Most hvac systems use fans and ducts to distribute conditioned air. They also rely on filters to remove dust, mold and other contaminants from the air. The ability of a filter to catch pollutants is measured by its Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, or MERV. The four main types of MERV ratings are fiberglass, electrostatic, pleated and high-efficiency.
The genesis of modern HVAC is often traced back to the invention of mechanically chilled air by Willis Carrier in 1904. Carrier’s solution was to cool air so that water vapor would condense and lose heat, cooling the air in the process. This concept is similar to how sweat cools a body.
HVAC maintenance includes a variety of tasks, including checking and replacing furnace and air filter, cleaning the evaporator coil and ensuring that it drains properly. It’s important to have regular HVAC maintenance to avoid costly repairs and extend the lifespan of your system.
HVAC professionals use a variety of tools to perform these duties, including screwdrivers, wrenches, pliers and electrical testers. They may need to open and close ductwork, replace and reassemble equipment and repair leaking or frozen evaporator coils. They also use computers to read sensor data and analyze system performance.
Ventilation
Ventilation is one of the most overlooked aspects of a home’s HVAC system. Yet it plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy indoor air quality and helping the system run more efficiently.
Ventilation involves a process of adding fresh, outside air into an enclosed space while allowing stale, unwanted indoor air to be vented away. This is accomplished in a variety of ways, including natural ventilation, mechanical ventilation, and air conditioning.
Natural ventilation involves opening windows and doors to allow outdoor air to enter the space. This can be effective in small spaces, such as offices. Larger areas such as warehouses and factories require mechanical ventilation to ensure a steady supply of fresh, temperature-controlled air.
HVAC systems provide ventilation through return and supply vents, an air handler, ductwork, and a blower. The air handler is the heart of your forced-air system and it works to adjust the temperature of conditioned air, distribute it throughout your living spaces, and remove humidity and contaminants. The ductwork is like the lungs of your house, bringing in fresh air from outside and delivering conditioned air to each room. The blower then circulates the conditioned air through the house and exhausts stale air outside.
In addition to regulating the temperature and humidity of the air, your HVAC system also filters out dust, mold spores, smoke, bacteria, carbon dioxide, and odors. This helps to keep the air clean and healthy, reducing respiratory and other health problems.
Proper ventilation is important because it allows the heating and cooling system to work more efficiently, reducing energy bills and wear and tear. Without proper ventilation, the system must work harder to heat and cool the space, which can cause uneven heating and cooling and increase energy bills. It can also lead to excessive moisture and mildew.
Whether you are looking to improve your home’s ventilation or interested in a career in HVAC, it’s important to be familiar with the industry terms and acronyms. At ATI, we offer a wide range of vocational programs in automotive technology, heavy equipment technology, welding technology, and hvac technology to help you advance your career or achieve a new level of skill.
Filters
Filters are a crucial component to your HVAC system. Known by a variety of names, including furnace filters and air conditioning filters, they work to clean circulating air, keeping it free from dust, pet dander, mold spores, pollen and other particles that can interfere with optimal equipment performance and lead to mechanical failure. Oftentimes, these filters are the least visible component of your HVAC system but have a huge impact on indoor comfort and system longevity.
A filter consists of a porous screen that slots right into the pre-made compartments in the air ducts of your home or commercial facility. Air flows through the filter medium and is forced to pass over a series of surfaces that trap and remove contaminants. There are several different types of filters, varying in their size and efficiency. Fiberglass, pleated and electrostatic filters are among the most common and popular.
The type of filter you choose will depend on how clean you want your conditioned air and what your budget is. Standard fiberglass filters are inexpensive and disposable, lasting about 30 days. They do a good job at eliminating larger pollutants but aren’t as effective in preventing clogs within your HVAC system.
Pleated filters are made from a polyester or cotton material that has been creased into pleats, increasing the surface area for trapping particles. They can eliminate more pollutants than fiberglass filters and are more efficient than standard, with MERV ratings between 5 and 16. These are a great choice for allergy sufferers.
An electrostatic filter works by using static electricity to attract and capture harmful particulates like smoke, smog, dust and dander. These filters have a layer of synthetic or cotton fibers that create an electric charge when exposed to contaminated air. The charged particles are then attracted to the oppositely charged filter surface, essentially acting as a magnet and locking them inside the filter. These filters are both washable and disposable, with a MERV rating between 4 and 10.
A HEPA filter is the best option for people who are sensitive to airborne particles, such as those with respiratory illnesses or allergies. These are high-efficiency filtration systems that eliminate up to 99% of particulates 0.3 micron or larger, including bacteria, viruses and mold. These filters are also washable, but they require special care to ensure that they don’t become mildewed or contaminated with debris from improper installation or use.