1.1: What is HVAC?
- Page ID
- 40417
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Key Terms to Know
- BTU (British Thermal Unit) – A measure of heat energy, like calories in food.
- CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) – Measures airflow volume in HVAC systems.
- Refrigerant – The chemical used in cooling systems to absorb and release heat.
- Compressor – The "heart" of the system, which moves refrigerant through the cycle.
- Evaporator Coil – Absorbs heat from indoor air to cool a space.
- Condenser Coil – Releases heat outside, converting refrigerant back to liquid form.
- Ductwork – The network of tubes that distribute heated or cooled air.
- Thermostat – The control device that regulates temperature in an HVAC system.
- Ventilation – The process of moving fresh air in and stale air out of a building.
- Heat Transfer – The movement of heat through conduction, convection, and radiation.
HVAC stands for:
- Heating - Warms up a space when it's cold. Think of it like a warm blanket for a building.
- Ventilation - Moves fresh air in and stale air out, similar to opening windows to let a breeze flow through.
- Air Conditioning - Cools down a space when it's hot, like a refrigerator but for an entire room or building.
- Refrigeration - Keeps food, medicine, and other items cold, just like a personal icebox that never melts.
Every home, school, business, and hospital depends on HVAC systems to stay comfortable and safe.
HVAC is about more than just heating and cooling—it’s about comfort, safety, and efficiency.
- Comfort: Keeps people warm in winter and cool in summer, just like adjusting your car’s heater or AC on a road trip.
- Air Quality: Filters dust, pollen, and pollutants from the air, similar to how a coffee filter removes grounds from your morning brew.
- Energy Efficiency: Helps reduce power bills when working properly, like how using a well-insulated cooler keeps ice from melting too fast.
- Safety: Prevents overheating, carbon monoxide leaks, and system failures, just like wearing a seatbelt reduces injury risks in a crash.
Fun Fact: The first air conditioner was invented in 1902 by Willis Carrier!
Image: Duct work: Register