Popular HVAC FAQs

So you’re interested in understanding more about your HVAC system? Whether your interest in HVAC systems is driven by your need to improve the comfort of your home, or you want to increase your property’s value, or maybe you’re looking into HVAC systems because they are a required industry standard; there are numerous benefits that come with understanding HVAC systems. For instance, by getting proactive and showing interest in knowing all aspects of your HVAC system, you get to ensure that your HVAC is in perfect working condition throughout the year.

Efficiency and perfect comfort indoors is something everyone wants. And a well-maintained HVAC offers both. But of course, you have questions. Lucky for you, here are straightforward answers to some of the most frequently asked questions regarding HVAC systems:

1. What Does HVAC Stand For?

HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning). Before the creation of HVACs, the three elements of the HVAC system used to be divided between three or more devices. But thanks to the nature of the HVAC system, property owners can enjoy all three in a single system.

HVAC systems are dedicated to controlling the temperature as well as the quality of air indoors. That means that the HVAC helps to keep your home or commercial space warm during winter and cool during summer to provide comfort.

Also, HVAC systems get rid of contaminants in the air inside hence improving the quality of indoor air. Installing an HVAC system, in your house or commercial building ensures that you keep the indoors cozy regardless of the temperatures outside.

Essential Components Of An HVAC System

The essential components or parts of an HVAC system include:

– Air filter

– Supply fun

– Ducts

– Boiler

– Humidification and dehumidification components

– Outdoor air intake

– Control

– Relief fans

– Heating & cooling coils

– Return air system

– Self-contained cooling or heating unit

– Water chiller

It is crucial for property owners to note that while the primary function of HVAC systems remains the same, there are four different types of HVAC systems, and each type is available in different designs, sizes and specifications.

– Split Systems

– Hybrid Systems

– Packaged Heating And Air Conditioning Systems

– Mini-split systems

2. What Do HVAC Technicians Do?

A professional HVAC technician is an individual who handles the installation, maintenance and repair of heating, cooling, ventilation and air cons in buildings. Typically, HVAC technicians are trained in all three aspects of the HVAC system. However, a technician can choose to specialize and deal strictly with only one part of the system, either refrigeration, heating, or air conditioning. Also, in some instances, a technician can choose to specialize in either HVAC maintenance, repair or installation. So what’s the answer to the question: “what do HVAC technicians do?”

A typical day in the life of a qualified licensed HVAC technician involves the following tasks:

– Be in charge of installations

– Troubleshoot and fix HVAC systems

– Repair or replace damaged components

– Test electrical circuits

– Stick to local HVAC codes on each task

– Adjust HVAC system controls

– Improve system performance through maintenance

– Oversee the installation, designing and installation of low-voltage wiring

– Provide a detailed report regarding faults and other occurrences

When choosing HVAC technicians, make sure you check that they are qualified, professional and have excellent customer service. After all, you don’t want a technician who is rude or ignores your questions. Also, it’s highly recommended that you work with local HVAC technicians because they are more familiar with local HVAC codes.

3. Where Does HVAC Pull Air From?

Have you been wondering how the HVAC system works and where it pulls the air from? Well, of course, you know that it is responsible for providing a comfortable space indoors, but where does the air come from? Plus how does the system cool or heat that air?

Typically, one would assume that HVAC systems cool the house by pulling air from outside. But while split systems do have a heat pump located outdoors, the HVAC system does not pull in air from outside to cool your home. Instead, it’s cooling is achieved not by moving fresh air indoors but moving extra heat out. So, how do HVAC systems accomplish this?

Keeping It Cool – To keep your home fresh and cozy during hot months the heat pump will move heat outside. This is achieved through the help of indoor evaporator coils. It transfers heat from inside to the coils, and these coils contain refrigerant which is responsible for cooling the air. The heat absorbed by the coils is then blown outdoors by the heat pump.

Keeping It Warm – In order to provide the indoors with hot air during winter, HVAC systems use furnaces which produce combustion gases that pass to the heat exchanger. When cold air passes over them, it is warmed up and proceeds to the air duct where it is distributed to different rooms.

Providing Quality Air – Are you worried that the HVAC system might be pulling air full of pollutants from outside? You don’t have to be; because that’s not how HVAC systems purify the air indoors. To produce quality air, the HVAC will draw in air from different rooms which pass through air filters that can get rid of air particles. The cleaner air is the to the ducts and carried back to the rooms.

4. Are HVAC & Plumbing The Same?

It’s easy for homeowners to assume that a plumber can fix a problem with their HVAC system. However, HVAC and plumbing are entirely different things, and a plumber is not qualified to work on your HVAC.

Plumbers are responsible for the plumbing system, and that covers unclogging pipes, toilets, sinks, and working with fixtures connected to a property’s water system. Therefore, plumbing is more about the repair, maintenance and installation of piping and does not cover humidifiers, air conditioners or other elements found in HVAC systems.

As previously mentioned, HVAC covers heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration. HVAC is not about the water system but instead focuses on indoor temperature control. HVAC systems are complex, and HVAC technicians are adept at wiring and piping used in HVAC systems

While there’s a significant difference between plumbing and HVAC, it’s not uncommon to find companies or technicians who are qualified to work in both fields. However, before you hire such a company, make sure it’s licensed, insured and bonded.

5. Where Is An HVAC System Usually Located?

If you’re asking this question, you must be wondering if there is an ideal location for an HVAC system. So, where is the HVAC system located? Is it the basement, attic or crawlspace?

Space is essential when it comes to HVAC systems. HVAC systems can be classified as either local or central depending on the location.

– Central HVAC systems are typically located either inside, adjacent, or on top of the building and require ductwork. These systems can serve multiple thermal zones and have several control points, such as a different thermostat for each zone.

– Local HVAC systems are either located adjacent to or inside the building, and Split systems are perfect examples of local HVAC systems.

The basement can be a great location, and so can the attic for residential property. Rooftops can be great locations for commercial properties.

Whichever location you pick, make sure that there is enough room for movement of large equipment in order to facilitate effective installation, maintenance and replacement.

6. Will My HVAC System Work With Nest?

Have you decided to make your home smart finally? Of course you have!

While there have been significant improvements in the smart-home market, there’s still the problem of some devices and smart home appliances that don’t work well together. As a result, many property owners are left asking if their HVAC systems can work with smart homes.

Google’s Nest provides property owners with smart-home control. With Nest, you can control cameras, alarm systems, doorbells and even thermostat. So yes, some HVAC systems can be re-wired by a professional HVAC technician using standard HVAC wires so that your HVAC system can function with a Nest Thermostat.

However, don’t get excited just yet, you need to check if your HVAC system is compatible with Nest. According to Google, Nest Thermostats work with a majority of 24V HVAC systems. They also work with oil, electric and natural gas-powered systems. You can check the compatibility of your HVAC system by using the Nest Thermostat compatibility checker. If your lucky, it might work with both Nest Learning Thermostat and Nest Thermostat E, or at least one of them.

7. Are HVAC Vents Required In Bathrooms?

Bathrooms are smelly and wet places. And while you need proper airflow in every room including bathrooms, HVAC vents are not necessarily required in bathrooms. Therefore, if you are purchasing a house and notice that the bathroom does not have HVAC vents, don’t expect the seller to upgrade the installation.

Do you still have a question about your HVAC systems that you didn’t see here? If so, let us know and we would be happy to help out.