HVAC systems provide heating, ventilation, and air conditioning through ducts. They include a unit, ductwork, vents, and a thermostat. Fuel options vary by region. Units are rated by efficiency, with SEER used for air conditioning.
HVAC systems are all systems that deal with heating, ventilation and air conditioning. These systems are sometimes called central heating or central air conditioning systems and use air ducts through which to move air throughout the building. Once considered a luxury, HVAC systems are now commonplace in new buildings, especially in industrialized countries.
The parts of an HVAC system include the heating or air conditioning unit, ductwork, and vents, both intake and exhaust. Return vents return air to the heating and cooling units through ducts. Vents distribute hot or cold air throughout the rest of the house. A thermostat is also considered part of the system.
Most HVAC systems are powered by air conditioning units and furnaces. In some cases, one or the other may be the only one present. For example, in higher latitudes, it is common for older homes to have only one furnace. Air conditioning is unnecessary during many times of the year and was considered an unnecessary luxury. While most homes now have full HVAC systems, there may still be some that don’t.
HVAC systems can be powered in a number of ways. For the furnace, natural gas is by far the most popular option, followed by some type of fuel oil, and finally electricity. Often, economics dictates what type of fuel will be used in a given area. Most homeowners will obviously choose the cheapest, yet most effective option possible. Most ovens are rated for their efficiency on a standard scale that can be compared to other models.
For the air conditioning portion of HVAC systems, the most common power source is electricity. The cost of electricity can make cooling a home a very expensive proposition. Often, people can compromise by accepting a less efficient unit for heating or cooling depending on which part of the system will be idle most of the year.
HVAC units are often rated by looking at a specific measurement. There are different sizes for different units. For example, the Annual Fuel Use Efficiency Assessment (AFUE) is used for kilns. Anything below 80 is considered a fairly inefficient unit. Anything rated 90 or higher is considered a super efficient unit. Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER) is often used for air conditioners. The scale for a SEER is slightly different, but a higher rating is good. All new air conditioners in the United States must meet a standard rating of at least SEER 13.
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