Your home's
HVAC system is comprised of many components that control comfort, in regards to air temperature and indoor air quality. In addition to maintaining a comfortable home, your HVAC system also impacts your energy bills by as much as 50 percent. So, by understanding how the HVAC system components work together, you can maximize comfort and minimize your energy budget.
HVAC Basics
HVAC stands for heating, ventilation and air conditioning. The typical heating systems for homes in the Hampton Roads area of Southeast Virginia are gas furnaces and heat pumps. If you use a furnace for heating, you may have a split-system air conditioner (central air) for cooling. The ventilation component of your HVAC system is the ductwork system. Following are the basic workings of each:
- Furnace — A direct-vent furnace draws in outside air for heating. Conventional furnaces heat ambient air. Newer direct-vent models are preferred for better efficiency and safety.
- Heat pump — Heat pumps use refrigerant to extract (cooling) or release (heating) heat energy from ducted airflow.
- Split-system A/C — The indoor coil (evaporator) of your A/C sits above the furnace just before the blower. The evaporator extracts heat from ducted airflow.
- Ductwork — A network of tubes, typically manufactured from metal, fiberglass and/or plastic, convey cooled and heated airflow to your home.
Working Together
When your HVAC system components are well-maintained and working together, they last longer with fewer repairs on top of energy savings. Though, if a component isn't pulling its weight, such as a leaky duct system, it strains the other components and your wallet.
Another common issue that hinders a well-functioning system is dirt and debris. For example, a dirty evaporator coil not only impedes cooling efficiency, it can impede heating efficiency if you heat with a furnace.
The best strategy to ensure all HVAC system components play together nicely is semi-annual professional maintenance. A
preventive maintenance agreement with a reputable HVAC company is the way to go.
To learn more about HVAC system components, please contact the experts at
Russell's Heating & Cooling today. We've served residents of Hampton Roads area of Southeast Virginia since 1977!
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Chesapeake, Virginia and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about HVAC system components and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 757-750-1831.
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