Updated: October 23, 2024
While you may be familiar with the acronym, you might have no idea what HVAC actually stands for. If you’re a residential technician or designer, you probably hear the term multiple times a day.
HVAC stands for “heating, ventilation and air conditioning.” It’s a term used for the entire system that runs both the central heating and air conditioning in homes and buildings. An HVAC system also includes a system of air ducts that run throughout the entire space to distribute air evenly to the various rooms.
The 3 Parts of HVAC
To understand a little better, let’s break down the three parts of an HVAC system further:
- Heating. The heating element of an HVAC system usually consists of either a furnace (gas, electric or dual fuel) or a heat pump.
- Ventilation. The ventilation component has the most parts because it includes all of the air ducts, air vents, filters and exhaust fans.
- Air Conditioning. The air conditioning is the heart of the system. Its major parts include: a condenser, compressor, expansion valve and evaporator.
An HVAC system is the most efficient and convenient way to heat and cool your home. However, regular maintenance is vital in keeping your system running well.
If you live in the metro-Houston area, contact Richmond’s air today for your HVAC maintenance and repair needs.
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