Xynfo.com - HVAC Questions
Common Questions About Heating, Ventilation and Cooling
What is HVAC?
The acronym HVAC stands for heating, ventilation and air conditioning. HVAC is an industry catchall term referring to the various types of equipment involved in the heating and cooling of a building. HVAC equipment, such as furnaces and air conditioners, allow us to dwell comfortably within our homes.
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According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the HVAC systems used across the United States in private homes as well as commercial buildings make up 40% to 60% of the energy used nationwide.
Some of the more common HVAC equipment includes:
- Filters
- Furnaces
- Condensers
- Compressors
- Control Systems
- Fans and blowers
- Heating/Cooling Coils
- Air Distribution Systems
The major equipment that makes up a home’s HVAC system consists of two types of machinery: the unit residing inside the house and the unit residing outside the house. An air conditioner and a heat pump are two examples of units that are found outside the house. A blower coil is an example of a unit that is found inside the house.
A HVAC system does more than just provide us with comfortable temperatures. The ‘V’ in HVAC stands for ventilation. Indoor air quality is an important key to good health. A reduction in indoor air quality can cause a host of problems, one of them being asthma.
An improperly ventilated house can become a haven for mold and mildew. These two biological contaminants can trigger asthma symptoms (or other allergic reactions) in certain people. Smaller consequences of exposure to mold and mildew can include sneezing, coughing, fever, digestive troubles and more. Having a well-tuned HVAC system in your house that will reduce humidity in the air is vital for prevention of mold and mildew.
When purchasing HVAC equipment, check for its ability to improve the quality of indoor air and expenditure rate of energy, as well as meets or exceeds current environmental standards.