What Does HVAC Stand For?

When talking about your air conditioner, you may hear people refer to it as an HVAC system. While the two are similar, they are slightly different terms.

What Does HVAC Stand For?

HVAC stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.

AC stands for air conditioning.

Your HVAC system is responsible for both heating and cooling as well as ventilating your home, while your AC is just responsible for cooling.

When it’s hot, we tend to only focus on the air conditioning. That doesn’t mean you should neglect the rest of your system though, as it is important to your home’s comfort. Here is just a little bit more to know about your system.

Heating

There are two different types of systems that deliver hot air.

Direct Air: This moves the warm air directly to an area of the home. Direct systems generally use hydronic or electric systems to heat and move the air.

Forced Air: Using gas or electricity, forced air systems heat the air and send it through your home using fans. The warm air is pushed into a room through one vent and then forces the cold air out through another.

Ventilation

A properly working ventilation system is vital to your home’s comfort. When controlling the temperature in your home, old air needs to be taken out so new air can come in. It is the job of the ventilation system to change this air for you. A good ventilation system not only controls the temperature, but also removes dust, bacteria, odors, and carbon dioxide from the room.

To keep your vents filtering your air efficiently, but sure to change your air filters regularly.

Air Conditioning

Not only does your AC cool your home, but it controls humidity as well. Your AC works by using a refrigeration cycle to chill the air. There are many different types and makes of air conditioners, but all require regular maintenance to run efficiently. To keep your AC running its best, be sure to schedule maintenance in the spring to prepare it for the summer ahead.