HVAC systems provide ventilation, heating, cooling and humidity monitoring. They improve indoor air quality by removing smoke, odors, heat, dust and airborne bacteria.

Furnaces use fuel sources like natural gas, propane or heating oil to create heat that circulates through ductwork to increase indoor temperature. Heat pumps also provide heating and cooling, but with electricity instead of a fuel source. For more information, click on hvac Coquitlam.

Heating

Heating is the process of raising or lowering an enclosed space’s temperature to maintain comfort. It works by distributing warm air throughout a home or building using ductwork and a furnace, according to HowStuffWorks.

A furnace uses a combustion process to heat an air exchanger and blow it through ducts into your home, according to Energy Star. The ducts convey the heated air — or, depending on thermostat settings, cold air — to rooms through vents and registers, where the homeowner can direct airflow as needed.

Some HVAC systems heat and cool with a unit called a heat pump, instead of an air conditioning condenser. Heat pumps use refrigerant to absorb and transport heat, reversing the flow of that liquid when the system switches between heating and cooling. This allows them to operate more efficiently than traditional furnaces and air conditioners. It also helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions. For this reason, some HVAC professionals are replacing conventional systems with heat pumps.

Cooling

Air conditioning is a major component of HVAC systems, and it works similarly to heating. Your HVAC system takes in air, cools it down and removes excess humidity, then blows that cooled air into an indoor space.

Ductwork carries the cool air throughout your home or commercial property, and your thermostat monitors the temperature to ensure it remains comfortable. A blower fan circulates the air, and air filters help keep dust and other allergens out.

An air conditioner uses a compressor and condenser to cool outdoor air down before blowing it into your property. The system’s tubing is filled with a chemical called refrigerant that can absorb and release heat to regulate your temperature, according to HowStuffWorks.

The refrigerant can also move the heat between the air conditioner and an indoor unit known as an air handler. Air ducts carry the cool air from the air handler into your property, and the indoor unit may look similar to a furnace.

Ductwork

Ductwork circulates air throughout homes, commercial buildings, and other types of enclosed spaces. It helps to ensure indoor safety and comfort by filtering out germs, dust particles, and other contaminants.

Accurately sized ducts are vital to the HVAC system’s health. If a duct is too big or small, the HVAC equipment will work harder to keep up, leading to high utility bills.

Leaking ducts require professional repairs to ensure the system remains efficient. These repairs often involve sealing leaks with a flexible duct material such as mastic or caulk.

A duct that’s clogged with dirt may not function properly. It might blow contaminated air into living areas, causing symptoms such as coughing or sneezing. It might also fail to remove toxins from the air, leading to health problems such as asthma.

Maintenance

Just like a car, an HVAC system needs regular tune-ups to run smoothly. A properly maintained system will have a lower chance of breaking down during the peak seasons of operation, and it will also save property owners money with decreased energy bills and increased efficiency.

Maintenance can also help keep the HVAC system warranty coverage active. Most equipment warranties require regular maintenance in order to stay valid.

Routine maintenance allows a technician to catch issues and repair them before they can worsen, which will prevent costly breakdowns. For example, the fan blades can become rusty or damaged over time, and it’s important to check them regularly for signs of damage. This could cause the unit to work harder to cool the property, which will drive up energy bills. Refrigerant lines can leak as well, and checking them for damage or corrosion is essential. Having them repaired early on will also keep the property’s occupants healthy by reducing allergens in the indoor air.