Your home HVAC system can seem extremely complicated: after all, you may have an air conditioner, a furnace, a thermostat, a network of ducts, air filters, and even auxiliary systems like air cleaners or ventilation solutions. But all of these HVAC system components come together into one larger picture that keeps your home comfortable. Here's how:
Your thermostat is the brain of your HVAC system. It monitors the temperature of your home, and compares the temperature against the target temperature you set. When the temperature rises too high or drops too low, the thermostat will tell tell your air conditioner, furnace, or heat pump to engage. You can gain more control over this process – for example, changing your settings from your smartphone, or programming different target temperatures for the day and night – by installing a wireless, smart, or programmable thermostat.
Your central furnace, heat pump, or air conditioner attaches to your home's ductwork. When the thermostat signals it to engage, it uses fans to bring air from return vents throughout your home into the central unit. The air passes through an air filter which cleans it of dust, and is then heated or cooled. The central fan pushes it out through the ductwork to the living areas of your home.
Your ductwork needs to be well-designed in order to bring air evenly in from throughout your home, and to deliver the correct amount of air back to each room. It should also be sealed and insulated, to prevent heat transfer with crawl spaces and other unconditioned areas of your house; air leaks can cost you a lot, in terms of energy efficiency and temperature regulation.
You may also have other whole-house systems such as insulation (which slows heat transfer between your home and the outside air) and ventilation systems (which exhausts stale indoor air and brings in fresh air).
To learn more about how your HVAC system components work together in your Fort Wayne home, contact us at Hartman Brothers Heating & Air Conditioning today!
Our goal is to help educate our customers in New Haven, Indiana and surrounding Fort Wayne area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about HVAC system components and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 260-376-2961.
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