HVAC Basics: How Heating and Cooling Systems Work

Nov 14

There are few things that are more relaxing on a hot summer day than stepping into an air-conditioned room. What is going on inside your home to help keep your home cool?

The air conditioning system in the building is part of a bigger system that is known as the heating, ventilation as well as air conditioning (or HVAC for short). The heating and Cooling Colorado Springs system in your house is in essence one of the largest machines that include an air conditioning system, a thermostat, as well as numerous other gadgets that cool or heat the air.

Understanding the fundamentals of the way this system operates is extremely helpful when considering whether to fix or replace it. This article explains what happens behind the of the scenes to keep your house cool in summer and warm in winter, in layman's terms.

Ventilation duct system (V)

Return and supply vents (also called registers) and ductwork, as well as filters and a circulating air fan form the ventilation portion of your HVAC system. The circulation fan pulls air from your home through return vents into the ductwork and over your cooling and heating systems. The air is then directed back into the rooms of your home via supply vents.

This type of system, also known as a forced-air system, is the base for homes' heating and cooling. However, before we get deep into the details of the heating and cooling process it is important to learn a brief physics course is required.

Heat Pump for Heating Systems

While domestic heating systems are more varied than their AC counterparts but the basic concept remains the same. The air is taken through the ductwork of the HVAC system, then heated and circulated through the home. There is a lot of variation in the manner that the air is heated.

Certain technologies, like heat pumps, are essentially reversed cooling systems. They can regulate temperature and cooling by switching the cold and hot coils. The heat pump functions as described above when it is in air conditioning mode. The cold and hot coils are reversed in heating mode, and the heat pump pulls out air from the outside which effectively brings the warmth within your home. Some heat pumps also draw warmth from the ground.

Other methods, such as furnaces, heat the air by burning fossil fuel (oil or natural gas).

Furnaces as well as central air conditioning units vs. Heat Pumps

A lot of homeowners are unsure how to cool and heat their homes using the use of a heat pump or a combination furnace as well as a central AC.

Advantages of heat pumps include:

Since a heater can simultaneously cool and heat just one device needs for maintenance.
Heat pumps are also more efficient in energy use than comparable furnaces and central air systems, however, all systems can be found in various efficiency levels.

The advantages of a furnace and central air conditioning:

Since each component runs for a specific amount of time during the year, combined systems generally will last longer.
Although this is susceptible to change, historically natural gas, or oil, used in a furnace has been cheaper than electricity.
The majority of experts recommend that a heat-pump is the best option if your weather rarely approaches near-freezing temperatures. A central air and furnace system however are usually the best options if live in an area where winters can be long and cold.

Hybrid heating and cooling systems

As well as the 2 options mentioned above, a third hybrid system has recently emerged as a popular option among homeowners. The hybrid heating system is comprised of the furnace with a heat pump, with one or the other one being utilized based on the temperature outside.

The system calculates that temperature when it is most cost-effective to operate the furnace or the heat pump (the economic equilibrium point) The system then alternates between the two depending on temperatures rise or fall. Depending on your environment, a hybrid system may be the right choice for you. To help you evaluate your options, consult an expert HVAC contractor.

A qualified HVAC expert should fix the condenser that is malfunctioning.

You can be more confident in determining when and where problems arise now that you've got a general understanding of how HVAC systems function. It will also make you feel more relaxed when speaking to an HVAC contractor or weighing your options.

Elevation Mechanical LLC

Colorado Springs, Co

(719) 460-7091

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