Understanding Your HVAC System: Main Components

The HVAC system, which stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, is likely a system that you use every day, at home, at work, and even in your car. It is crucial for temperature management, especially in climates that often experience extreme highs or lows. 

Maintenance of HVAC systems is a necessary part of keeping it in good condition for many years to come. It may seem difficult to understand how the HVAC works, but getting to know your system will help you ensure that the system works properly, and you’ll likely be able to identify issues yourself before they become a big problem. There are six main components of the HVAC system that you should get to know: 

Heat Exchanger

The heat exchanger is responsible for absorbing warmth and heating colder air. To do this, the thermostat (more on that in a minute) will activate the furnace to allow combustion to occur. The resultant heated air will then rise. The heat exchanger is made of durable materials like stainless steel and strong alloys that will reduce or prevent damage from temperature changes. 

Blower Motor

Once the air has been heated up by the heat exchanger and reached the desired temperature set by the user, the blower motor sends electricity to a fan, which then pushes the heated air through the ducts in the home or building. The ducts lead throughout the area, and the air will be released from the vents into the open space. Once all of the hot air has been released into the home, the heat exchanger will start up again to heat up the new, cooler air in the system. 

Combustion Chamber

Often called a burner, the combustion chamber is the component of the HVAC system that allows the air to be heated up. This is where air is added by the furnace and a combustible material combine with a source of ignition to heat up. In more modern HVAC systems, this is done using a glow stick, which lights automatically. Older systems use a pilot light, which can often go out and needs to be relit. They also can cause emission of carbon monoxide and are thus not the most efficient or convenient method. 

Condenser Coil/Compressor

This part of the air conditioning or heating system is usually located outside the home or building and is essential for cooling the indoor space. Instead of cooling the air already present, the condenser actually removes the hot air inside the home into the outdoors. To accomplish this, the condenser coil compresses a refrigerant from a gas to a liquid, cooling it in the process. Meanwhile, a fan passes air over the condenser to speed up the cooling process while also diffusing the heat. The system then releases the cooled liquid to an evaporator coil.

Evaporator Coil

Once the condensed refrigerant liquid is passed to the evaporator coil, it is then sent through a series of valves and nozzles, from which it is sprayed out. This action allows the cooled refrigerant in liquid form to evaporate again into a gas, dispersing the coolness into the home. The evaporation process absorbs heat, so the air indoors lowers gradually. 

Once the air is cooled and evaporated, the fan then sends it through the ducts, just as we saw with the heated air. The air is released via the vents and cool air is circulated. 

Thermostat

Perhaps the component of the HVAC system that most people are familiar with, this is the sensor that indicates when the system will be turned on or off. Users are able to set those temperatures to maximize comfort, of course, but many users also utilize the thermostat to help them save money on energy bills. With updated smart thermostats, timers can be set for certain days or hours to make sure the most is made of the system’s capacity. 

Fagone Plumbing: Massachusetts Leading HVAC Services Professional

Understanding the complete HVAC system may seem complicated but doing so is a good way to help yourself get the most out of it. Whether your priorities are comfort, cost, or minimizing energy usage, getting to know the components of the system will ensure you get with you need. Have questions? The professionals at Fagone Plumbing will be able to help you get your heating or AC right on track!