How the Components of an HVAC System Work Together

Here in the Mid-Atlantic region, our HVAC systems get a workout almost all year round. An average year in Wilmington, DE, for instance, sees lows close to or below freezing for five months, and above the mid-70s for a similar period. Like any complex machine, your HVAC installation works better if well maintained. Some homeowners are curious about the benefits of preventative service, and a working knowledge of your system’s components – and their interrelationships – may make it easier to understand the value of scheduled visits from your HVAC company.

HVAC in General

Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems work to treat the air in your living space, warming or cooling it according to demand, dehumidifying cooled air, and constantly filtering all air that’s re-circulated. Other specialist components of an HVAC system can serve additional purposes, but the basic installation comprises:

• The heating unit (furnace)
• The cooling unit (a complex assembly with components both inside and outside the house)
• The thermostat, instructs the installation on the temperature

The Unseen Component

Less often encountered is the ductwork. The system of conduits through which treated air is delivered to your living space, and from which it returns to the heating or cooling components for retreatment. Along with the air mover, which — like ductwork — also serves both furnace and A/C, those conduits really are how the different components of an HVAC system work together. Correct ductwork sizing is imperative. Poorly-sized airways can be problematic:

• Too large and heated or cooled air may be depleted
• Too small and restrictions may prevent adequate air transfer Both issues can negatively impact your fuel bills, and the latter can also cause the air mover to overwork, and thus fail unnecessarily early.

At Sobieski Services, Inc., our goal is to help our customers in Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey learn more about energy and home comfort issues – especially HVAC and plumbing issues – so that they can save money and live in healthier, more comfortable homes.

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