HVAC Systems 5

Figure 1-3. Natural Gas Furnace

AC is for Air Conditioning

For most of us, air conditioning means comfort cooling with
either chilled water systems or refrigerant systems. Both of these
systems include cooling coils to remove heat from the air.

• Chilled Water Systems

— Vapor-compression system
— Absorption system

• Refrigeration (DX) Systems

— Vapor-compression system

• Cooling Coils
— Water coil
— Refrigerant (DX) coil
6 HVAC Fundamentals

Figure 1-4. Hot Water Heating Coil

Cooling and heating coils (Figure 1-4) are heat transfer de-
vices or heat exchangers. They come in a variety of types and
sizes and are designed for various fluid combinations: water, re-
frigerant or steam. Water coils are used for heating, cooling or
dehumidifying air and are most often made of copper headers
and tubes with aluminum or copper fins and galvanized steel
frames.