This Blog was posted by Smithson Valley Services Air Conditioning. We serve the Texas Hill Country, including Blanco | Bulverde | Canyon Lake | Fisher | Kendalia | New Braunfels | North San Antonio | Sattler | Sisterdale | Smithson Valley | Spring Branch | Startzville
HVAC = Heating/Ventilation/Air Conditioning
You should first know that HVAC is an abbreviation for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning. This device is a one-piece unit that provides all your heating and cooling needs. The are two different types of systems available, local and central. A central system provides all your heating needs from one unit, a boiler or a furnace. Heated air, steam, or water is then circulated through duct work or pipes throughout your home, and these systems can be either forced air or radiant heat.
Radiant HVAC systems transfer heat from water or steam, which is then circulated through your house by heat exchangers or radiators. The radiator transfers that heat directly into the room, not by ‘radiation’ but by convection. Internal movements of the heated water or steam cause this. The heat that is directly emitted by a hot surface is radiant. Forced air heating is created by the heat exchanger getting hot; then air is forced through this and throughout the house. More on this webpage
In the case of the air conditioning part of the HVAC system, this is usually the same as forced air heating, but in this case, instead of passing through a heat exchange, it flows through a coolant exchanger instead. The cool air still flows through the same ductwork; it is just cold air instead of hot. Because of the heat produced during this cooling process, the air conditioning part is usually located outside of your home, close to the furnace.
Local HVAC systems include space heaters, wood or other fuel-burning stoves, and window-mounted air conditioners. They can only heat or cool one area, like a room, possibly two, and are not able to flow through the entire house. The other differences are that a single thermostat controls the whole system with a central unit, while local units are usually controlled individually. Ventilation is also an essential part of either system. Ventilation removes contaminants from your home, whether smoke, odors, bacteria, or even moisture, and filters incoming air from airborne particles. There are specified building code requirements for flow exchanges, depending on what part of the house they are located in.
You need to sit down with your spouse and think about picking the right HVAC system. There are many different makes and models for central and local systems. You have to think about the system that will work best for your home. A local system can be more difficult to maintain since more components make up the system, whereas a central HVAC comprises just two different units. One of the things that you have to do with central systems is make sure that the ducts are cleaned periodically to maximize efficiency.
Using a central HVAC system in the long run may be cheaper. While they may have greater initial costs, they work better and last longer with proper care and maintenance. Make sure you purchase your unit with the highest EnergyStar rating your budget allows.