HVAC Company Northern New Jersey

HVAC is a common term in both commercial and residential properties. HVAC units are also a common sight in homes and offices. Despite being common and a must-have in buildings in specific climatic environments, little is known about HVAC systems, especially by the building owners. 

Here is a breakdown of everything you need to know about HVAC systems from an expert’s perspective.

What is an HVAC? 

HVAC systems comprise different layers and output methods. Although the primary role of the system is central air conditioning or heating, there’s more to the HVAC system than these two core functions. 

HVAC is an acronym. Each letter on the acronym represents a different layer of the system: 

(H) Heating

Heating is one of the main functions of an HVAC system. Depending on your location and environmental conditions, there are several systems available for heating your home. These include furnaces, boilers, heat pumps, and ductless systems. 

Each heating system features a different method of heat delivery: 

• Forced air system – These are also known as central heating systems. They are the most common systems for homes that rely on air to transfer heat around the house. The air is distributed through plenums, vents, and ducts installed around the building. 
• Radiant and hydronic heat – Radiant and hydronic heat are terms used interchangeably to refer to a system that relies on a hot liquid that runs directly from the furnace through baseboard heaters, ceilings, wall panels, or radiators in your home. 
• Geothermal – The least common heating method leverages energy stored in the earth to provide heating for your home. 

(V) Ventilation 

Ventilation plays a critical role in the HVAC unit. Without adequate ventilation, temperatures will fluctuate, and there’s a risk of too much or too little humidity that could cause unhealthy air quality. There are several types of ventilation system: 

• Natural – Natural ventilation is the best and most recommended method of ventilation when executed properly. It uses natural forces like wind and buoyancy to deliver fresh air into the home. An excellent example of natural ventilation is leaving a window open. 
• Exhaust – Exhaust ventilation systems are common in buildings in colder climates. The system depressurizes your home forcing the air out and using passive vents to bring in fresh air. 
• Supply – A fan pressurizes the home forcing outside air into your home while pushing the inside the house outside using ducts and vents. 
• Balanced – Balanced ventilation systems have two fans and two ducts systems. The system works by bringing in and pushing out equal amounts of air. 
• Energy recovery – Also called Heat Recovery Ventilators, these systems have a heat exchanger, at least one fan, and controls. The system operates by transferring inside air to the outside for a fresh supply of outside air. 

(AC) Air Conditioning

There are several available options for cooling homes and commercial spaces. The most common is central air conditioning together with central heating. There are also split, ductless, and portable units. 

Although AC units have different designs, they operate using the same principle; Moving heat from the inside building to the outside. 

How HVAC Systems Work 

The installation of most HVAC systems might look complex and challenging. But how the system works is rather simple and straightforward. The HVAC system relies on five main parts within the system: 

• Expansion valve: Often featured in the liquids system. It creates a restriction in the liquid of the system, creating a pressure drop. 
• Evaporator: Removes heat from the space by exchanging it for a boiling refrigerant. 
• Compressor: It is the system’s heartbeat. It creates energy and thrust to move the refrigerant around the system. 
• Condenser: Pushes built up heat inside the refrigerant to the outside air. 
• Receiver drier: This is a storage area for refrigerants containing a drying agent and filter that removes contaminants from the system. 

The cooling or heating process starts with the automation device; usually, a wall-mounted device inside your house. Using the device, you can decide whether to cool or heat the room and what temperature. 

Most HVAC units will suck in air from the outside drive it through a filter and fan to the ventilated room for cooling. 

For heating, the unit will take heat from the heating system, take it through the filter and pump it into the ventilated room. Depending on the type of HVAC system, the process will vary. But the results are the same. 

Types of HVAC Systems 

There are six different types of HVAC systems. What works for you depends on various factors like the size of the building, climatic conditions, and location. Each type of system has slight variations to the mode of operations outlined above. 

Heat pump 

A heat pump extracts heat from the cold spaces, heats it then releases it into the room. Heat pumps use the same refrigeration cycle used in an air conditioner for heating, only that the air is pushed in the opposite direction. 

Heat pumps can also cool a room by reversing the flow of air to expel heated air. But these systems are most efficient in heating. Heat pumps are more efficient in energy consumption than traditional heating systems.  

Rooftop units 

Also known as air handlers, these are large HVAC systems placed on rooftops and ideal for large spaces. The unit features a blower, filter racks, chambers, dampers, and heating and cooling elements. Rooftop units are best suited for commercial properties. 

They connect with a ductwork ventilation system that distributes the air through the building before returning it to the box for discharge or repumping into the system, depending on the model. 

Water source heat pump 

Water source heat pumps provide sustainable cooling and heating. They are not as common because they require proximity to a water body but are rapidly increasing in popularity together with their geothermal heat pump counterparts. 

Ductless systems

These are the smallest of all system, designed for small applications like a single large room or several small rooms. They require minimal wall space and offer greater flexibility because the compressor and heat exchanger unit can be located further away from the main building. 

Split system HVAC 

The key components in a split-systems are separated and deployed in different places within the same building.

The central systems are ducted and designed for cooling. They also have a heat exchanger placed inside the central furnace used to distribute chilled air through the space.  Split systems also come in a mini-split form. 

Packaged HVAC 

These look like rooftop units but are smaller. They are perfect for smaller domestic use. They come in two varieties; packaged air conditioners with water-cooled condensers and those with air-cooled condensers.