Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) equipment provides heating and/or cooling for residential, commercial or industrial buildings. Ventilating or ventilation is the process of exchanging or replacing air in any space while removing unpleasant smells and excessive moisture, providing clean outside air while preventing stagnation of the interior air by keeping air circulating.
Ventilation (the V in HVAC) includes both the exchange of air to the outside as well as circulation of air within the building ,diluting interior airborne contaminants such as odour, smoke, heat, dust etc.
How does the AC/HVAC work?
The AC unit has three key parts which are the compressor, the condenser, and the evaporator. Your unit’s compressor and condenser are typically located in the outside part of the air conditioning system. Inside the house is where you will find the evaporator. The HVAC exchanges or replaces air in any space to provide high indoor air quality which involves temperature control, oxygen replenishment, and removal of moisture, odours, smoke, heat, dust, airborne bacteria, carbon dioxide, and other gases. A properly designed system will provide a comfortable indoor environment year round when properly maintained.
What types of AC systems are available?
- Chilled Water System
In a chilled water system, liquid water is pumped throughout the building to “chilled water coils”. Since the liquid water needs to be at a cold temperature.
- Cooling Only Split-System
A split system is a combination of an indoor air handling unit and an outdoor condensing unit. The indoor air handling unit contains a supply air fan and an air-to-refrigerant heat exchanger (or cooling coil), and the expansion device.
- Heat Pump
Heat pumps are similar to cooling only systems with one exception. A special valve in the refrigeration piping allows the refrigeration cycle to be operated in reverse.
- Cooling Only Packaged-System
A packaged system is a single unit combining all the components described in the split system. Since the unit is a package, it must be placed outside the building and indoor air is “ducted” from the building to the packaged system and back through an air distribution system.
- Packaged Terminal Heat Pump
They are similar to a window-mounted air conditioner. They are typically installed in a sleeve passing through the outdoor wall of an apartment, hotel, school classroom etc.
- Window Air Conditioners
A window air conditioner is typically installed in a window or custom opening in a wall. These are not intended to provide cooling to multiple rooms or zones.
