HVAC Basics for Beginners

HVAC Basics for Beginners

July 14, 2020


You've likely heard a home HVAC system referred to as central air conditioning. HVAC stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. Many people are able to control both the heating and cooling of their homes or offices via thermostats. By understanding the basics of HVAC, you can better work your existing system or invest in a new one.

HVAC Basics for Beginners

The Furnace

One of the biggest components of an HVAC system is the furnace. This is the system that sits in the basement of the building and heats the air. The air is then transferred via a heat exchanger into the ductwork throughout your home or office. Furnaces tend to be the most commonly found in homes. Boilers, on the other hand, are more common in the commercial sector.

The Evaporator Coil

The most essential part of your air conditioning system is the evaporator coil. This is where the refrigerant is housed. The coil, itself, works to absorb heat from the air then passes over it and blows that cooled air throughout the ductwork of your system. The refrigerant tubes run from the inside unit to the outside condensing unit.

The Ductwork

Most HVAC systems will have a ductwork component that runs throughout the walls of a home or office. These are the large metal piping runs that connect with the furnace and air conditioning part of your HVAC system. They run throughout the walls and, in industrial settings, throughout the ceilings. This piping is connected with registers or vents that allow the air to pass in and out of them. You can locate these vents as rectangular covers located on the walls and the floors.

The Thermostat

The thermostat is the control for the entire HVAC system in your home or office. Most people are familiar with this part of their HVAC system as they've used it before. This small appliance is situated on a wall at the most used level of your home or office. You can use it to set the desired temperature for the room. Many people have upgraded to what are known as smart thermostats. These allow you to control the thermostat from anywhere you have an internet connection and they're fully programmable.

Call Us Today

At first glance, you may think that your HVAC system is overly complicated. However, when you discover the basics, you can easily understand how it works. If you have any further questions regarding your HVAC system or are interested in having one installed at your home or office, give the experts at Master Mechanical a call today. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff can answer all of your questions and make recommendations about how a new HVAC system can best benefit you.


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Proof We’re the Best HVAC Company Straight From Our Customers

  • Didn’t Push a Furnace Replacement
    Taylor D.
    Tom, the owner was awesome. He came out immediately when our furnace went out and completed a challenging fix. When I asked if I should replace the furnace he said no. Honest and did outstanding work. Furnace is quieter and seems to be running better than when we moved in!
  • Highly Recommended for AC Replacement
    Jeremiah D.
    Tom came over and thoroughly discussed my options. We discussed at length the pros and cons of the most expensive and least expensive options, and came up with a fair price for the products I chose. The crew showed up on time and finished the same day, and was easy to deal with. The new furnace heats my house so much better than the old one. I would definitely use Master Mechanical again. And I have. I’ve now replaced multiple furnaces and AC units using Tom and his crew at Master Mechanical, and would use them again.
  • Quick AC Fix During a Power Surge
    Jim P.
    Master Mechanical responded quickly when our AC failed following a power surge. They quickly diagnosed the problem, and responded patiently to my uninformed consumer questions. Once the team arrived to complete the repair work, they were professional and again, knowledgeable. Prices were fair, and they followed up with me after work was completed. Overall a great company!
  • Last Minute AC Repair
    Rupal P.
    Master Mechanical is an amazing company! I called last minute (per my friend's recommendation) since my ac broke yesterday. Victor was friendly, fast and explained everything and he ended up fixing my issue---thank you! Highly recommend Services A/C system repair.
  • Two Great HVAC Experiences
    Bill L.
    Did an excellent job on two repairs. The first was an emergency call for a furnace repair when it was 4 degrees F outside. They showed up on time, diagnosed the problem, went for parts, repaired the furnace all in about an hours time. The second repair was for the whole house humidifier attached to the furnace. It was a minor issue and corrected in less than 40 minutes. Everything is working great. My experience with their work is excellent.