I was asked by a home owner, “What is HVAC?” This got me to thinking that I could General Contractor, expert advise, Professional  help homeowners understand their homes better hence

“Understand Your Home Systems #1”.  First in the series.

HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning.
This is the technology of indoor and vehicular environmental comfort. Its goal is to provide thermal comfort and acceptable indoor air quality.

HEATING
In your home you have heating and cooling systems to maintain a comfort zone that fits your needs. Heating systems can consist of Solar systems, a stove or fireplace, a gas or electric Furnace with Duct systems or a gas or electric wall heater, a boiler and Baseboard Systems, Radiant floor or ceiling system.

VENTILATION
Ventilation is necessary for maintaining healthy indoor air by removing contaminated indoor air or excessive moisture and providing fresh, cleaner outside air. This is done by using ducted exhaust fans for cooking and ducted exhaust fans for bathing and showers
and room exhaust fans. There is also natural ventilation by way of doors and windows open to allow cross ventilation

AIR CONDITIONING
Cooling you home can be done many ways, first by blocking solar heat by having windows that reduce solar radiation, blocking direct sunshine by trees or awnings, and natural ventilation. Then there mechanical methods of cooling with fans, evaporative cooling (That’s where a fan takes in huge amounts of hot outside air and blows it into the house through a pad, or filter, kept constantly moist by re-circulated and make-up water.)
Next there is refrigeration cooling such as room air conditioners and central air cooling systems with ducts.

Dave Silva
GC