The ABC’s of Your HVAC System

As a homeowner, it is helpful to have some basic knowledge of your Heating and Air system. This system is expensive, complex and heavily relied on for keeping you and your family comfortable all year long. When you understand how your system works and something about the different components that make up your HVAC system, you will understand how to better maintain it. Below, you will find a list of HVAC components and a brief summary of what these components do. A little knowledge may help save you some money in maintenance.HVAC Components and their function:
* Furnace- If you don’t have a heat pump, more than likely you have a furnace. Obviously the furnace plays an important part in keeping your home warm in Fall and Winter. The furnace is typically located in the basement, attic, the laundry/ utility room or sometimes a closet. The function of the furnace is to provide and circulate warmed air. If your furnace is connected to your air conditioner then it is also responsible for distributing cool air as well. The air your furnace circulates is distributed into your home via air ducts and vents.
*Heat Exchanger- This component is located inside the furnace and is where the air is heated. A fan draws the outside air into the furnace and across burners and then into the heat exchanger. The air is heated and then pushed out into the the air duct system.
*Evaporator Coil- Is attached to the furnace, or else part of a dedicated air handler. It contains refrigerant that removes heat energy from the air as it turns from a liquid into a gas. Removing the heat from the air creates cooling. The cool air is then distrbuted to the ducts and vents with a blower fan. This fan is located either in the furnace or air handler.
*Condensor/ Compressor- Is located outside the house in a metal box. This contains a condensing coil, compressor and fan. This is where the refrigerant gas is compressed and turned back into a liquid before being pumped back into the home. During this process heat energy that was removed from the air inside the house is expelled into the outside air, as part of the cooling process. In a heat pump system, heat is absorbed from the outside air and transferred inside for home heating.
* Thermostat- Controls your heating and cooling equipment. When the thermostat is set at a temperature, the heating or cooling system will run to maintain that temperature in the home.
* Ducts- These run through the walls, ceiling and floors in a home. They distribute air to the different rooms via vents and registers. Supply ducts and vents deliver conditioned air and return vents return the used air back to the furnace or the air handler. Before entering the HVAC equipment again, the air is filtered to protect the system’s components and to improve indoor air quality.
Hopefully, this information will be helpful to you. The most important factor in keeping your HVAC system working at peak condition and prolonging the life of the system is regular maintenance. Call MTB Heating and Air today to schedule a heating tune up. For only $89 we will inspect your furnace and make sure it is in peak condition and free from carbon monoxide leaks.