You depend on your HVAC system to keep your home comfortable throughout the changing seasons and help maintain healthy indoor air quality. Despite the importance of this appliance, many homeowners are unaware of how it works. Having a basic understanding will allow you to troubleshoot problems with your heating and cooling equipment and perform better HVAC maintenance to achieve maximum efficiency. Here’s a look at how these systems function.

Common Types of Heating & Cooling Equipment

Central heating and air conditioning is the standard in most households. This option consists of a furnace paired with a split system air conditioner that includes both an indoor and outdoor unit.

During the colder months, a furnace produces heat by using a burner to generate combustion gases, which pass across a heat exchanger to be warmed before traveling through the ducts and blowing out into the home.

When the temperatures rise, the air conditioner will remove warm air from the home and move it through the ductwork where the refrigerant absorbs the heat before pushing the cooled air back out to each room in the house.

A heat pump works in the same manner as a central air conditioning unit to cool down a home. When temperatures drop, it can switch to a heating system. However, instead of burning fuel to produce heat, it takes the heat from outdoor air and releases it inside the ductwork where it’s absorbed by refrigerant, so warm air can be distributed through the household.

Important Components of an HVAC System

HVAC systems are intricately designed with several parts. Some of the most essential components include:

• Compressor – This is responsible for changing the refrigerant from a gaseous to a liquid state and pumping it into the coils.
• Condensing Unit – The condenser provides airflow and is where heat transfer occurs.
• Evaporator Coil – This helps cool the air that’s pulled into the system.
• Thermostat – A thermostat allows for precise temperature regulation based on the homeowner’s preferences.

Keeping each of these elements working correctly with regular HVAC maintenance is key to avoiding costly issues.

Whether you need a new installation or help keeping your HVAC system in optimal condition, trust Stewart Air Conditioning & Heating LLC to fulfill your request. Their highly trained technicians are qualified to work on a wide range of heating and cooling equipment, including furnaces, air conditioners, and heat pumps. For nearly 45 years, these professionals have proudly provided Lexington, KY, residents with reliable HVAC maintenance and repair solutions at competitive prices. Call (859) 252-4945 to schedule an appointment, or visit them online to learn more about their preventative HVAC maintenance services.