The
efficient performance of an HVAC installation is guaranteed by the way its
various elements interact between them, which means nothing can go wrong to
allow maximum usage benefits. This is where the fundamental HVAC systems
(heating, ventilation air conditioning) come in play, since it is from this
tri-factor that everything starts, making its comprehension absolutely
indispensable in any case.
Although
the upper mentioned systems are the heart of the HVAC world, the industry also
distinguishes the combination itself by two sub-divisions (more used in homes
and usual in commercial spaces) that have their own separation, as we clarify
below. Such differentiation can be easily mixed up so an attentive reading of
the following information is recommended to fully understand the subject in
question.
Division by household types
In order
to achieve the best performance in a common home, HVAC systems must have their
components working properly individually and as a whole, a vital aspect only
possible if there is no defects and if the union of combined functions is
correctly established. Thus, the current distinction by applied equipment in
heating and air conditioning split system, hybrid heat split system, duct-free
split heating and air conditioning system, and finally, packaged heating and
air conditioning system. Enunciation made let’s see the particularities of each
one of them:
Heating and air conditioning split system does the hot and cold separation task by managing the interaction of a
valve and coil with a furnace and its condensing unit. The air goes through a
proper network of ducts controlled by an integrated central panel or individual
panels for every building division.
Hybrid heat split system is basically a more advanced integration of elements in a crossbreed
evolution that improves the “simple” heating and air conditioning split system
efficiency because it has the best of this last one (ducts, thermostats,
evaporator coils and furnaces) to which a heat pump is added, thus enhancing
the cooling and heating of areas to a more productive level as it uses
electricity to better control the entire process with minimum loses.
Duct-free split heating and air conditioning
systems are similar to hybrid ones
except for the ducts, since as the designation suggests, have none. However,
this is a complementary system of the hybrid heat split systems – being
installed where these cannot be placed – that profits off of the refrigerant,
thermostat, heat pump or air-conditioner, and compact fans (a duct substitute)
combined work.
A packaged heating and air conditioning system is
more adequate option for buildings with a limited area where a split system is
not a viable alternative. The core of this choice is a thermostat, pump, fan
and coil, which can interact with dehumidifiers as well.
Division by commercial types
The
present possible sub-division organizes the systems according to air flow
management and spaces covered while operating, being identify with the
expression “commercial types” because these set ups best serve larger spaces,
thus being the most suitable choice for ample infrastructures such as big
stores, warehouses, office buildings and so on.
Constant volume and variable volume systems diverge in the way they make the air flow, being constant on the first
one as opposed to adjustable like the second. A variable system changes
temperature increasing or reducing the air flow (heated or cooled) that enters
the space while constant volume systems use the ducts to do the same.
Forced air and radiant HVAC systems are a modern incarnation of ancestral systems. The forced air structures
take advantage of a fan and ducts that expel and push the air out and into the
areas, filtering it through coils. The radiant systems use tubes and pipes
filled with cold or hot water normally located under the building’s walls and
floors.
Single and multiple zones systems allow for different manners of controlling the temperature: single zone
have a central control panel which manages the whole area influenced by the system
(a room, various rooms or even multiple floors); multiple zone offer a number
of individual panels to set up each space at a desired temperature. This
feature reflects itself onto the price, making the multiple systems costly and
the single option more affordable at the expense of relinquish full control.
Although
many houses still use some of the now considered commercial systems, the “new”
hybrids efficiency are giving them the lead in sales thanks to its cost/benefit
relation and more stable long-term life cycle. However, it must be emphasized
that the mentioned classifications are not mutually exclusive, just represent
two ways of arrange the existing HVAC systems by considering distinct factors.
