HVAC Orlando systems are expensive, and whether you’re replacing an existing system or installing a new one, you want the best value. Installing a high-efficiency HVAC system can help homeowners save energy costs. Proper installation practices include testing and sealing ductwork for air leaks that reduce efficiency.
The cooling system in your HVAC system removes heat from indoor air to lower humidity and restore thermal comfort. The unit’s components include an evaporator coil, compressor, and condenser. It runs on electricity, natural gas, or oil. This part of your HVAC system is often the first one to experience problems, due to its heavy-duty use and location in your home or commercial structure.
Depending on the cooling system type, it may also have an economizer mode. This feature opens the outdoor air damper to bring in outside air at a lower temperature than the return air, lowering energy costs by reducing the demand for mechanical cooling. It is triggered by a comparison of the outside air temperature and the demand for cool air, or by enthalpy, comparing the thermal energy of the return versus the supply air (which may also be achieved with a chilled water or direct expansion “DX” system).
Once the conditioned air is blown into your home or business through ductwork it can then be distributed to other rooms or zones. Some systems utilize a central air conditioning unit, others consist of a packaged system that consolidates the equipment into one unit placed outdoors or on rooftops, and still other systems are ductless. Regardless of the system type, you should choose an AC unit with high Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) and Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) ratings to get the most from your investment.
In addition to the units mentioned above, your HVAC system includes a variety of other parts, including a filter, fan, blower, evaporator coils, and compressor. It also has a thermostat, which signals the rest of the system when it needs to heat or cool your home. A programmable thermostat can help you keep your home at optimal temperatures when you’re not around. Routine maintenance service is recommended to extend the life of your HVAC unit and ensure it is working at peak efficiency.
Heating
Heating is a vital part of any HVAC system, keeping homes and offices warm and comfortable throughout the colder months. Like air conditioning, heating systems are available in a variety of configurations for maximum comfort and efficiency. When choosing a system, make sure to work with a qualified professional who understands your unique heating needs and preferences.
The basic components of a heating system include a furnace or heat pump, ductwork, and thermostats. A furnace or heat pump uses a blower to circulate hot or cool air through your ductwork, which delivers it to various rooms in your home or office. A furnace generates heat by converting natural gas, oil, or another fuel into thermal energy. The combustion process involves creating high-pressure steam or hot gases that rise through a flue, which vents the hot gases outdoors. The hot gases then cool down, condense, and return to the furnace to repeat the cycle.
A thermostat monitors temperature in the room and signals the heating or cooling unit when to switch on. Some thermostats have a learning function that detects the average temperature in the room over time. This information helps the thermostat identify the most efficient heating cycles for your home. It also makes it possible to save energy by keeping the system at a lower setting when no one is there.
Ductwork is a network of tubing that runs through walls and ceilings to carry heated or cooled air to different parts of your home or office. It’s essential that ductwork is well-insulated and sealed to prevent energy loss. A blower then pushes the air through a system of air filters to clean it, improving indoor air quality and ensuring that your airflow is properly regulated for optimal energy efficiency.
The type of heating system you choose will depend on a few factors, including your budget, lifestyle, and energy efficiency goals. It’s important to work with a qualified residential HVAC technician who can help you choose the right system for your home or office. They’ll be able to recommend the best unit based on your needs and answer any questions you may have. They’ll also be able to schedule repairs or maintenance when needed.
Ventilation
Ventilation systems in HVAC provide mechanical air exchange, bringing in fresh outdoor air and expelling stale indoor air. They can also filter out pollutants and moisture, and help regulate the temperature. They can be integrated with the heating, cooling, or both in a home or commercial building.
Ventilation system components include air handlers, ductwork, and return vents. The air handler and the blower assembly work together to circulate conditioned (heated or cooled) air. The ductwork is a network of pathways that distribute the conditioned air to each room in the building.
In the past, most buildings had access to natural ventilation through doors and windows. But as modern buildings become more and more tightly sealed, the need for mechanical ventilation has increased. Ventilation systems transport outside air into a space, and they can also expel air from spaces that don’t need it any more (such as an office kitchen from the rest of a restaurant).
Heat pumps and furnaces are two types of HVAC units that can both heat and cool. They use refrigerant to absorb and transport heat, but they can reverse the flow of that refrigerant if they need to.
Whether they’re heating or cooling, these systems need to be properly sized and installed. This involves calculating the amount of heat that a space needs, determining its square footage and layout, and assessing climate conditions and insulation levels.
Once the hvac system is properly sized, it’s time to install it. This includes setting up the ductwork, connecting the unit to the electrical and water supply, and testing it for proper operation. It’s important to hire a reputable, licensed, and insured contractor to perform any HVAC installations.
An experienced HVAC professional can help you determine the right size and type of HVAC system for your space. They’ll consider your budget, the amount of space you want to heat or cool, and your personal preferences when recommending a solution. They can also suggest energy-efficient features and controls that will minimize your energy consumption without sacrificing comfort. They may also offer financing options to make it easier for you to afford a new system.
Controls
The control system is the heart of your HVAC unit. It’s what monitors input from sensors and sends output to the various devices in your building or home, adjusting the equipment as needed to meet your needs. It can range from a simple on/off switch to an advanced BMS (Building Management System) that can monitor and control hundreds of pieces of equipment across a facility network.
Input devices like temperature sensors and pressure gauges send information to the HVAC controls to indicate when a device is operating at its design capacity or not. This helps prevent energy waste by ensuring that equipment doesn’t operate beyond what it is designed for.
For example, the air handler control board will send a signal to the compressor motor to turn on when its sensor indicates that the room temperature is above its thermostat set point. The evaporator coils will then heat up when the compressor motor turns on and the fan blows hot refrigerant over them, heating the air in the space that it is blowing into. The evaporator fan then circulates this warm air throughout the space.
A smart or programmable thermostat allows a homeowner to preset their preferred temperature for the space. It can then monitor outdoor weather, indoor humidity, and occupancy to adjust to changing conditions. Some can even notify the homeowner of required maintenance or developing issues with their HVAC equipment.
If you’re looking to upgrade or replace your current HVAC system, it is important to choose a model with the right inputs and outputs for your unique needs. For example, if you have a large building with a complex management system and you want to integrate it into your new HVAC control system, then you should be sure that the new controls can accommodate advanced controller logic.
A good system will also support analog inputs and outputs, as well as digital and pneumatic systems. It will also be able to connect to existing building automation systems and provide advanced control functions, such as supply-air-temperature reset. This strategy reduces VAV reheat during shoulder and heating seasons by automatically resetting the supply air temperature higher when the outdoor temperature is low, and lower when it’s high.