HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning.

HVAC refers to the different

systems used for moving air between indoor and outdoor areas, along
with heating and cooling both residential and commercial buildings. They are the systems
that keep you warm and cozy in the winter and feeling cool and fresh in the summer.
They also are the systems that filter and clean indoor air to keep you healthy and
maintain humidity levels at optimal comfort levels.

The purpose of an HVAC system is more than just warming or cooling a space. Instead,
it serves to improve indoor air quality and provide comfort for everyone inside a building.
While there are several different types of HVAC systems, they all begin with the same
essentials.

First, there is a source of fresh air intake from the outside or from within the home. This
process is called ventilation, and it happens in two different ways. Natural ventilation is
present in most homes and refers to the way air typically moves in and out through
windows, doors, vents, and other openings.

Mechanical ventilation uses a mechanical system ‐ the V in HVAC ‐ to move air in and
out. In the past, there was plenty of natural ventilation in most homes from gaps and
cracks in the construction along with opening and closing of doors.

Next up, is comfort. Air is either sent to be heated or sent to be cooled and have excess
humidity removed. Once the air is clean, fresh, and at a comfortable temperature, it is
directed into the home.

1. Air Conditioner

The air conditioner in a commercial HVAC system is very similar to a residential unit. Its
purpose is to dehumidify the air and remove heat. It is important to remember that the air
conditioner itself does not cool the building, but works with many other subsystems to
regulate the temperature.

2. Compressor

A compressor, like an Carrier/Carlyle 06ET275360, is the key to the cooling cycle and kicks
off the main “loop” that enables you to manage temperatures. It compresses the refrigerant,
raising its temperature. The refrigerant is then passed on to the condenser, where the
cooling process can start in earnest.

3. Condenser

The condenser is the heat exchanger that serves as the hot side of the air conditioning unit.
It removes heat from the building and transfers it to the exterior. Gas refrigerant then
becomes liquid refrigerant. A heat pump can also have a condenser, in which case it
functions to collect heat from the outside.

4. Thermal Expansion Valve

The expansion valve is an essential part of the condenser’s function. It removes pressure
from the liquid refrigerant so expansion can take place, turning the substance from a liquid
into a vapor. The expansion valve provides for precise flow control of refrigerant into the
evaporator coil.
5. Air Handler (including Evaporator Coil and Blower)

The air handler is the component responsible for circulating air through the system. In most
structures, it is connected directly to the ductwork. It blows cooled or heated air into the
building and then returns it back into the system. It includes a blower, heating and cooling
elements, and a variety of other devices.

6. Terminal Units

Terminal units consist of an air filter, coil, and blower. Size varies significantly. The most
common terminal units in a commercial HVAC are the mid-sized rooftop units (RTUs) in
contrast to the largest make-up air units (MTUs). They can be used to control temperatures
in a single room.

7. Chiller

Chillers come in air-cooled and water-cooled varieties. Their function is to remove heat from
the liquid that courses through the structure’s pipes. In an air-cooled chiller, the condenser
coils are cooled by fan-driven air, with the unit usually found outdoors.

8. Duct System

Ducts can be very old and may even predate your current HVAC system. However, they
should not be overlooked as an essential part of system performance, as they distribute air
all throughout your building.

For the rest of your HVAC system to work, your ductwork must be clean and intact.