The HVAC, or heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system of a home is part of what makes that home comfortable. Some people would say it’s so important it makes a home liveable. Like everything else, the system needs to be maintained and repaired every now and then.
Our professionals at AAA Service believe it is important for our customers to learn the important parts of their HVAC system, especially the ones that may need some troubleshooting in the future.
The Heating System
Hot Air Systems
Hot air systems force heated air through ducts that lead to vents in the rooms of the house. These systems can be powered by electricity, oil or gas. All of the systems have some kind of plenum, where the hot air leaves the furnace or pump and is sent through the ducts. They also have filters that need to be cleaned or replaced at least twice a year.
- A gas-fired furnace has a combustion chamber, a manifold, a motor that runs a belt, burners and a flue that takes harmful gases our of the house.
- Oil furnaces have oil burners found either inside or outside often furnace itself, a fuel pump, a blower and a motor whose belts need to be checked now and then.
- An electric furnace is a simpler system. It has heat coils, a blower, a motor, and a thermostat. Electrical furnaces are almost maintenance-free and 100 percent efficient if they are found in the home.
Hot Water System
A hot water system uses a circulator pump to force hot water from a boiler through pipes instead of ducts. The hot air is then released into the rooms through radiators or baseboard convectors. Bleeding the radiators increases the system’s efficiency.
Air Conditioners
Central air conditioners are outside units with compressors, condenser coils, fans, and an evaporator coil. They are attached to a furnace. Heated air from the indoors is carried to the condenser coil. There, heat is removed from the air and expelled, and the cooled air is released into the room. Wall units work much the same way.
Ventilation
Ventilation allows the house to “breathe.” Fresh air is allowed into the house and stale air is vented to the outside. The ventilation system is the simplest part of the HVAC system. All you need to do is open a window to ventilate your house! However, modern homes are so energy efficient and airtight that our professionals might be called upon to add foundation vents as well as vents for the eaves, roof ridge, gable, and ducts.
For more information about your HVAC system, don’t hesitate to call AAA Service at (303) 313-3333, or “like” us on Facebook.
