Your HVAC system is made of several components that have their own functions to help either cool or warm the inside of a building. NY NJ AC Connection would like to break down each of the main components and explain their functions. We’ll tell you where they are generally located to better assist our home and business owners in troubleshooting future problems and know when it is time to call a professional HVAC technician to come repair your HVAC unit.
Thermostat
The thermostat is the device located within the home or building that controls the temperature. The thermostat is programmable. Your thermostat detects when the temperature changes inside the home or building and will either raise or drop the temperature to the pre-programmed temperature. Usually located in an easily accessed area, the thermostat is the most familiar component of the HVAC system.
Furnace
The furnace is the main component of the HVAC system that heats the inside of the building. The furnace is also the largest component of your HVAC system which means it also requires a lot of space. The furnace will either be located inside the attic, basement or cellar or a closet designed to house the furnace. The furnace can use propane, natural gas, coal, or electricity to heat the inside of the building.
Heat Exchanger
Inside the furnace is the heat exchanger which activates the furnace when the thermostat senses that the temperatures have dropped within the room or building. The heat exchanger’s additional functions is to pull the cooler air from inside the building and then after the furnace has heated the air the heat exchanger will then re-circulate the warmed air back into the building or the individual rooms.
Evaporator Coils
The evaporator coils many functions are when the thermostat senses that the inside of the building has raised to warmer temperatures and will need cooling down. The evaporator coils use the coolant to cool down the warm air by pulling air from outside and then pushes cooler air inside the home or building. The evaporator coils are typically located within the furnace’s interior casing.
Condensing Unit
The condensing unit is connected to the evaporator coils that are typically installed on the outside walls of the building or home. The condensing unit is the component filled with the refrigerant or coolant which is used to transform the warmer air into the cooled conditioned air during the summer.
Refrigerant Lines
The refrigerant lines are the piping that supplies the coolant into the evaporator coils. These lines are either copper or aluminum.
Ductwork
The Ductwork or more commonly known as the air ducts is the tunnel like system that is run throughout the entire building to bring the cooled or warmed air into each room. The ductwork is made of aluminum, flexible plastic, polyurethane, fiberglass or fabric. Over time your ductwork can become filled with dirt and other pollutants. Therefore, they should be cleaned often to improve on indoor air quality and efficiency.
Vents
The vent is the outer part of the ductwork that directs the air to flow into the room in a certain direction. The vents, depending on the buildings layout, are found typically on the ceiling but also can be found on the side of walls and even the floor.
HVAC Services in Manhattan, NYC
NY NJ AC Connection hope you were able to learn what each of the major components of the HVAC system do and better understand how they work together to bring you comfortable indoor air. If you find that one of your components isn’t functioning correctly, or not at all, contact NY NJ AC Connection and we will be there to help repair your HVAC unit.
