HVAC Systems and Controls
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems (HVAC) are a major part of building design. HVAC Lexington systems control indoor temperature, humidity, filtration, and airflow to create an environment that is comfortable for occupants.
A central HVAC system consists of a compressor that pumps refrigerant and various components to cool or heat a building. Ductwork is used to distribute treated air throughout the building.
Air conditioning is the process of removing hot, moist air from a building and replacing it with cool, dry air. It’s the most important function of an HVAC system because it provides thermal comfort to occupants.
An HVAC system may have multiple components, including an air conditioner (AC), a furnace, and ductwork that distributes the warm or cool air throughout your home. It may also have a humidifier, dehumidifier, and air purifier to improve your indoor air quality.
Most AC systems use refrigerant to absorb heat from indoor air and discharge it as a cold, dry stream of outdoor air. As the refrigerant travels in tubes between areas of low and high pressure, it turns into a gas that absorbs and condenses the heat.
In addition to reducing the amount of heat in your home, an AC can be very helpful against the effects of climate change. In fact, it can be necessary in some places where the temperature is rising rapidly.
But despite the potential benefits of an AC, there are some downsides as well. The first is that it can remove water from the air, a substance that’s vital to human health.
This moisture is important for maintaining the health and elasticity of the skin. Without it, your skin can become flaky, dry, and prone to developing wrinkles and other creases.
Fortunately, there are solutions to this problem. For instance, there are a number of whole-home dehumidifiers and humidifiers that can add or remove moisture in your home to keep the dew point at an ideal level.
Another option is to install a smart thermostat that allows you to adjust the temperature and humidity levels in your home on a schedule that works for you. This can save you money on energy bills and will make your air conditioning more efficient.
An HVAC system is a complex system that requires regular maintenance to work correctly. If you suspect that your system isn’t working properly, it’s best to call a professional HVAC technician to check it out and get it fixed right away.
Heating systems are the mechanisms that transfer thermal energy in a home or building to maintain a desired temperature within. The systems can be central heated or distributed, and each system varies in its construction and components.
A central heating system uses a furnace or boiler to burn fuel such as gas or oil, then pushes the heated air through ductwork to warm the home. Most furnaces are powered by electricity, but some use natural gas or propane.
In a typical furnace, the fuel is pulled from a tank and sprayed through the combustion chamber, where it burns. The heat is then forced through the heat exchanger, which is also heated to a designed temperature. The heated air is pushed out through ducts, and the system is finished when the thermostat tells it to stop heating the air.
As part of a larger HVAC system, a heating unit can be used to supply a variety of air-conditioning equipment. Often, the units are connected by refrigerant lines to a cooling coil, which can be either water or air-cooled.
Some systems also include air purifiers or dehumidifiers to control the amount of moisture in the indoor air. These devices help reduce indoor humidity levels and improve the comfort level of occupants and can be controlled using a smart thermostat.
Most residential homes feature a furnace, which is a type of HVAC unit that transfers thermal energy to the home by tapping into a fuel source and distributing it to living spaces. It can be gas or electric, but many homeowners choose to go with a split system that includes an indoor and outdoor unit that’s connected via ductwork.
