We often use acronyms in our daily lives, even if we aren’t entirely sure what they mean. You’ve likely heard your air conditioner referred to as an “HVAC unit,” but have you ever thought about why? We understand if you haven’t – let’s face it, air conditioning isn’t the most compelling topic of conversation for many people. But to clear up any confusion that you may have, let’s take a look.
HVAC stands for heating (H), ventilation (V), and air conditioning (AC). Those are the three elements every homeowner needs to keep their home comfortable – and as you can imagine, each is necessary for varying degrees based on climate and geographic region. Everyone wants a pleasant indoor environment; if any of the three fails to work correctly, you’ll want to rectify the situation.
Heating: Although we only need it occasionally here in Florida, heating is still necessary now and again. From December through February, the temperatures may drop to freezing overnight, and Floridians are not used to those numbers. This past Christmas, temperatures dropped into the 40’s in the Sarasota area, which is plenty chilly for us. While we could live without it, heat is nice to have when the colder weather arrives, so you don’t want to discover that the heating element is not working on one of those chilly nights.
Ventilation: This ventilation function is the least appreciated part of your HVAC unit. But ventilation is critical – it allows the fresh air in and circulates the old air out, taking odors, dust, and allergens with it. Stale air can affect the health and safety of your family as it may also contain mold, bacteria, viruses, pet dander, and spores.
While no one wants to breathe those things into their lungs, proper ventilation is rarely at the top of anyone’s to-do list. We are typically aware of feeling hot or cold – but we only notice poor ventilation once the situation has gotten worse. The easiest and most effective way to protect your air quality is to change your air filters routinely. As an added bonus, clean air filters will help your HVAC unit to operate more efficiently and protect its lifespan.
Air Conditioning: We don’t have to sell any Floridian on the value of air conditioning. While everyone understands the benefit of staying cool, the air conditioning component also contributes to another critical need in the home – eliminating humidity.
You’ve heard the phrase, “it’s not the heat; it’s the humidity.” Humidity can be terribly uncomfortable, and that wet, sticky feeling is unpleasant. But that isn’t the worst of it. When the humidity level gets too high indoors, it can damage furniture and clothes, books, art, and more. Zero humidity, however, is not the goal, or everything will dry out. Therefore, homeowners must achieve the right humidity level, and today’s air conditioning units provide the means to control the home’s humidity without needing a separate humidifier or dehumidifier.
While knowing about the components of your HVAC unit is not critical, it helps to have a general understanding of how the system works to ensure your family’s comfort. This winter is a great time to schedule an inspection to ensure your system is working efficiently and protecting your home and family.
Ocean Air provides professional HVAC installation and service to clients from North Port to Sun City. Call today to schedule a visit from one of our expert technicians.