Understanding HVAC Systems

A home or building’s air conditioning is part of a larger system commonly referred to as its heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system or HVAC Las Vegas for short. A home comfort system, also called an HVAC system, is something you just can’t live without. Your home’s HVAC Las Vegas system is needly an expansive machine consisting of a ventilation system, thermostat, and various devices that either heat or cool the air. The system keeps you warm and cozy in the winter, cool and comfortable in the summer, and can also protect you from airborne allergens and pollutants. Made up of main components, an HVAC system includes a thermostat, a furnace, an air conditioner unit or heat pump and an indoor air-quality system. All these components work together to achieve your home’s comfort, improve your home’s indoor air quality and also maximizes your home’s energy efficiency because an HVAC system plays such a vital part in your life and it is important to find a system that matches your comfort needs.

There are two key principles of physics that HVAC systems depend on to work properly:

1. A liquid’s boiling point depends on how much pressure it is under. Many pre-packaged foods have separate, high-altitude cooking instructions for this reason—because at higher altitudes the atmospheric pressure decreases, which means a lower boiling point for water.
2. When a substance vaporizes, it absorbs heat from its surroundings to energize the change. That’s why you use heat to boil water.

Understanding the different varieties of HVAC systems can save you a lot of time while you're considering your options, and help you better understand how HVAC works. Narrow down your choices before you begin shopping, and get a clear picture of what you need to make yours function at its best. A hybrid system is a heating system that incorporates both a furnace and a heat pump, utilizing one or the other depending on the outdoor temperature. The system calculates the temperature at which it would be more economical to use either the furnace or the heat pump or sometimes called the economic balancing point, and switches between the two as the temperature moves above or below that point. A hybrid system may be best for you, depending on your climate. When you're looking for a new energy-efficient HVAC system, you will find a variety of energy efficiency ratings on the units. To ensure you're getting the best system for your needs, it's worth knowing which systems are ranking better that is important for getting the most out of your investment.

Important acronyms for HVAC systems:

AHRI: The Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute

AFUE: Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency

EER: Energy Efficiency Ratio

SEER: Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio

HSPF: Heat Seasonal Performance Factor

MERV Rating: Minimum Efficiency Reporting value

Keep in mind that HVAC systems are complicated machines that utilize potentially hazardous chemicals. Just as you wouldn’t start tinkering with your vehicle’s engine without advanced knowledge, don’t attempt to make HVAC repairs unless you have proper training.