HVAC Georgia: The Basics to Know About Your Residential or Commercial System
As a homeowner or small business owner, knowing the basics about expensive and vital appliances such as your HVAC system is crucial. HVAC Georgia experts outline the essentials of residential and commercial heating and cooling systems. Here is a beginner’s guide to HVAC components, terms, and new unit cost factors.
HVAC = Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
Your HVAC system heats and cools your space and filters and purifies your air to reduce contaminants and allergens. There are many important parts to any HVAC system.
Heating
Furnace
A furnace generates heat by burning fuel to create heat, then distributing this generated heat throughout a space; this is done by its four main components.
- Burners: deliver and burn fuel
- Heat exchangers
- Blower
- Flue: exhausts gaseous by-products
Heat Pump
A heat pump is more energy-efficient. It uses outside air to heat in the winter and cool it in summer. Heat is pumped out during hot weather and pumped in during cold weather. This type of heating element is commonly found in small commercial spaces.
Ventilation
Air Handler
This is usually paired with a heat pump to circulate air. The most common residential unit is a split system, which doesn’t have this part. Split systems have something inside that circulates the air.
Ductwork
An HVAC system’s ductwork is tubes attached to vents that carry and distribute air from your heating and cooling systems into and throughout your space. They can be rigid or flexible and are most commonly composed of sheet metal or fiberglass. Without functioning ductwork, an HVAC system could not do its job efficiently.
Air Conditioning
Heated energy is sucked out and transferred to the outside. The most common residential HVAC system is a split system; this has an inside evaporative heat exchanger and an outside condensing heat exchanger.
Thermostat
A thermostat allows you to control your indoor temperature. Many people are investing in smart thermostats, which can sync with other smart home systems. The big benefit is that over time, a smart thermostat can learn how to most efficiently heat and cool any space.
What Affects the Cost of an HVAC Georgia New Unit Install?
If a new HVAC system installation is required, ask your local team of HVAC Georgia professionals about available tax credits, rebates, or any special offers. Location (climate), size of the space, how the space was constructed, and the condition of your ductwork (if applicable) all affect the cost and period of installation. Historic homes typically have hard-to-reach spaces which could make the cost of a new unit installation higher.
HVAC Georgia Important Terms to Know
Split System
This dual-part HVAC system has an outdoor and indoor unit. Split systems are the most common HVAC systems in modern residential single-family homes because units can be split to fit individual needs. An air conditioner is usually paired with a furnace or air handler. Internal components are protected from the elements, therefore, are not found in attics and basements. Outdoor units usually are on the side of the home or building where there is sufficient ventilation.
Packaged System
Most of the components for a packaged HVAC system are in a single unit outside. Packaged systems can consist of different combinations of heating and cooling elements. You can find an air conditioner, humidifier, furnace, air handler, condenser, and evaporator coils.
Hybrid System
This is a dual system that uses fuel with an electric heat pump and a gas furnace to heat and cool a space.
Cooling Stages
This is the number of settings an air conditioner or heat pump has. Multi-stage HVAC systems can vary temperature more easily and offer more precise temperature control than single-stage HVAC systems.
Heating Stages
This identifies the number of settings in a furnace or heat pump. The fact regarding multi-stage cooling systems is the same for multi-stage heating systems.
Count on Your Local Team of HVAC Georgia Experts
It is good to know the basics about your HVAC system, but it’s also important to know you can depend on an HVAC technician to keep your system performing well through preventative HVAC maintenance and timely repairs. The team of HVAC Georgia experts at AComfort is here for you and your family.
Maximize your living comfort with AComfort today. Schedule an air conditioning or heating repair, new unit installation, or preventative maintenance check-up online or call 678-688-7378.