How does an HVAC system work?

by | Apr 29, 2013 | Heating and Cooling

Heating, ventilating and air conditioning, according to the US Department of Energy, accounts for about 43% of the total energy consumed in an average American household. It may beneficial for you to know a little bit about how they work and how heating and air conditioning repair in Sacramento is carried out.

Energy sources:

There are several sources of energy for the basic home HVAC system:

  • Natural gas is carried to your home via underground pipe lines
  • Propane is stored in a large pressure vessel on your property
  • Fuel oil is also stored in a tank on your property although it is not stored under pressure
  • Electricity

These four fuels are used to heat and cool your home, warm your water, cook your food and dry your clothes among other things.

Alternative methods are available but they all use fuel of one sort or another. A common alternative for HVAC is a heat pump which often requires heating and air conditioning repair in Sacramento. A heat pump is an ideal solution where the heating and cooling needs are both moderate. The heat pump works similar to a refrigerator; it moves heat from a place that is cool. The net result is, the cool space gets cooler and the warm space gets warmer. Heat pumps are one of the most energy efficient HVAC systems, they routinely provide up to four times more energy than they consume.

Another alternative which is becoming popular is a hot water boiler; however it cannot provide air conditioning.

How does air conditioning work?

Air conditioning units run all the way from small window mounted units which are used for one room cooling to central air conditioning that cools every room in the house. Large commercial buildings that are air conditioned will often have a dozen units mounted on the roof of the building.

The air conditioners function is simple, it removes the warm air from the room or the home and brings it back as cool air. The air is moved via a blower unit or a fan.

When heating and air conditioning repair Sacramento is required it is needed either in the house or outside as the unit is split into two components. Outdoors is where the compressor and condenser are located; the indoor component is the evaporator. Most central air conditioning is an integral part of a heating system as well; the AC evaporator is usually installed in the main air supply duct for the furnace.

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Central air conditioning does little more than continually circulate cool air through your house using the system of warm air ducts. The cool air is delivered by the supply ducts and the warm air is returned to the unit by the return ducts. The system of evaporator, compressor, condenser, etc, moves the warm air to the outside and cool air to the inside. A refrigerant which can change from liquid to gas and back to liquid is the medium used to cool the air.

If you are looking for heating and air conditioning repair in Sacramento then, Gilmore Heat Air & Solar is the number one source for you. To learn more what they can do for you, visit them online.

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