HVAC stands for heating, ventilating, and air conditioning, and is basically the system that maintains your desired indoor temperature and comfort. Here is an overview of its essential parts.
- Thermostat – The thermostat acts as the interface of your HVAC system. Modern thermostats can be programmed and even turned on and off remotely. It is attached to a sensor that detects the room’s ambient temperature and circulates warm or cool air as needed.
- Furnace – The furnace is a key component of the heating part of the HVAC system. It supplies heated air, which is generated through various means: traditional (burning wood or coal), electric resistance, or heat pumps. The furnace houses the heat exchanger, which basically pulls room temperature air in, heats it through the furnace, and circulates the heated air through ducts and vents.
- Evaporator Coil – The evaporator coil is the opposite counterpart of the heat exchanger, in that it cools room temperature air, and distributes it through the air ducts. Attached to it is a condenser unit, which converts (or condenses) the refrigerant gas into liquid form and transfers it to the evaporator coil, which blows the refrigerant into the ducts and absorbs ambient heat.
- Refrigerant Lines – The refrigerant lines carry the refrigerant into the condensing unit as a form of gas, and return it to the evaporator as a liquid. It is important to have quality refrigerant lines, as they will carry substances with extreme temperatures. The lines are typically made from durable materials, such as copper or aluminum.
- Ducts and Vents – The ductwork distributes warmed or cooled air into all areas of the building. As with the refrigerant lines, the ducts have to be made from quality materials for reliable performance. Modern ductwork is made from steel, plastic, or fiberglass. The ducts lead to vents, the rectangular outlets that pipe warmed or cooled air into the room.
Putting all of these together requires the expertise of a reliable heating and air conditioning company. To learn more about our services, call McMaster Heating & Air Conditioning today at (949) 481-7995 or fill out our contact form to schedule your appointment.
