Get to know the system that makes your home comfy
HVAC systems are composed of both indoor and outdoor units, each housing various components.
The heat exchanger is one of the most expensive HVAC parts to replace, and it’s responsible for transferring heat between spaces.
Combustion chambers are critical for heating the home, while condenser units are vital for cooling it.
Regular inspections and maintenance for HVAC system parts can extend the life of the overall HVAC system.
Nothing beats walking into an air-conditioned home on a hot day or a toasty home on a cold night. Learning the parts of an HVAC system and how they work will make troubleshooting easier when something goes wrong—and perhaps help you save cash if you can do something about the warning signs before it's too late. Learn all you need to know about the different parts of an HVAC system in this informational guide.
HVAC stands for heating, ventilating, and air conditioning. An HVAC unit is a system that circulates hot or cool air throughout your home to regulate the temperature.
An HVAC system is different from an air conditioning unit or a heater; an HVAC heats and cools, not just one or the other. It’s best to service an HVAC system annually, as having your HVAC unit inspected only costs $70 to $100 and can preserve the life of your device.
Conversely, installing an entirely new HVAC system may cost as much as $12,500. That number doesn’t sound cool at all, but staying on top of HVAC maintenance will help you avoid needing a replacement.
You may be familiar with the thermostat and the ductwork, but do you know your condenser unit from your condenser coil? Are you familiar with the inner workings of the heat exchanger? While you shouldn’t tinker with these parts without extensive HVAC skills, knowing the basics of how they work will help you identify when there’s an HVAC problem.
Here are all the parts of an HVAC system you should know.
As its name implies, the heat exchanger transfers heat from one place to another inside of your HVAC unit. During the summer months, the heat exchanger removes heat from your home; in the winter, it puts heat into your home.
Heat exchangers use fluids to transfer heat from one area to another. While the fluids themselves never mix, the walls holding these liquids are highly conductive, meaning temperatures flow through them rather easily.
You may be experiencing a cracked heat exchanger if a chemical odor is present in your home or near your HVAC system. This issue will cost between $2,000 and $3,500 to service. Hiring a local HVAC repair pro is recommended for such a job.
Temperature sensors inside the thermostat in your HVAC system make a homeowner's life easier, as the readings help the unit decide when to heat or cool your home.
A malfunctioning thermostat is one of the most common HVAC problems homeowners experience. Troubleshooting could be as simple as swapping out batteries or cleaning the thermostat, but be sure to read your manual carefully before tinkering with yours. Installing a new thermostat costs $113 to $254 on average.
In more complex systems, such as in a big home with multiple floors, thermostats may take readings in various areas (referred to as zones). Each thermostat reports back to the main unit, which can make decisions to heat or cool that specific area.
Your blower motor provides the force that pumps warm or cool air to different areas of the home.
Replacing a blower motor will cost around $450 for a new one. Loud noises, groans, screeching, or an absence of airflow are all signs that your blower motor needs to be repaired or replaced.
Keep in mind that the average cost to hire an HVAC specialist to make repairs is $40 to $100 per hour. However, a diagnosis that leads to a blower motor replacement could be a drop in the bucket compared to replacing your whole unit later from a cost standpoint.
Have you ever wondered where the heat comes from during cold winter days? It comes from the combustion chamber on your HVAC unit. The fuel your system runs on burns in this chamber. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, natural gas is the most common fuel for HVAC systems and is used in about 57% of U.S. homes. The heat from this reaction feeds into the heat exchanger and heats your home.
If this part stops functioning in your system, replacing a combustion chamber on an HVAC unit costs $200 to $600.
The process is a little different when you need to cool your home, and this is when your air conditioning steps up to the plate. Some parts of a home AC unit include a condensing unit that transfers hot air outside your home by compressing refrigerant (an HVAC fluid or gas) and the coils outside your home.
As part of your HVAC maintenance routine, it's important to keep the condenser unit and condenser coils free of debris, such as leaves or dirt. Keeping your HVAC unit away from walls or other obstructions is also important so it can properly do its job. Clogs or even small blockages can decrease your condenser unit's performance, which will simultaneously drive up energy bills and reduce cooling efficiency in the home.
"As a professional, I'd never miss out on routine servicing for my heating system. It's really easy to skip servicing your unit, but it can lead to breakdowns and high energy bills. It can be a safety issue, too."
— Yashar Mosaferi, President of Klondike AC, British Columbia, Canada
Simply put, your ductwork transfers air throughout the home. An HVAC system is centrally located in your home, and the ductwork is the superhighway where air moves from the blower motor and goes into designated rooms or areas.
Ducts, traditionally made using sheet metal or synthetic materials, also need to be clean to perform their very best. Try not to put off vent cleaning—this is one recommended HVAC maintenance tip that can prolong the life of your unit. Clogged ductwork can increase the number of allergens in the air and decrease performance in your unit.
An evaporator coil is positioned inside the indoor unit, and it plays a pivotal role in the cooling process. When warm air from your home is blown over the coil, the refrigerant inside absorbs heat, causing the air to cool down and dehumidify, creating comfortable indoor temperatures.
Regular inspections and maintenance ensure the evaporator coil's efficiency and longevity, as dust and debris accumulation can hinder its performance. A faulty coil can result in decreased cooling capacity and higher energy bills. Technicians should inspect, clean, and replace air filters as needed, as well as inspect the coil for dirt buildup and refrigerant leaks.
An evaporator coil is positioned inside the indoor unit, and it plays a pivotal role in the cooling process. When warm air from your home is blown over the coil, the refrigerant inside absorbs heat, causing the air to cool down and dehumidify, creating comfortable indoor temperatures.
Regular inspections and maintenance ensure the evaporator coil's efficiency and longevity, as dust and debris accumulation can hinder its performance. A faulty coil can result in decreased cooling capacity and higher energy bills. Technicians should inspect, clean, and replace air filters as needed, as well as inspect the coil for dirt buildup and refrigerant leaks.
We always ask our HVAC technicians to perform a thorough leak test to determine whether the evaporator coil really needs to be replaced. It adds some cost, but if no leak is detected, you will save a lot of money.
The cost to replace an evaporator coil can be between $600 and $2,000, but this cost depends on factors like the coil's size, accessibility, and the type of refrigerant used.
Refrigerant lines are responsible for transporting refrigerant between the indoor evaporator coil and the outdoor condenser coil. These lines facilitate the transfer of heat, allowing the HVAC system to cool or heat indoor spaces efficiently.
Regular inspections and maintenance are essential to extend the life of refrigerant lines. Over time, they can develop leaks due to wear, corrosion, or physical damage. Routine checks can detect issues early, preventing refrigerant loss and ensuring optimal system performance.
The cost to replace refrigerant lines varies based on factors like length, accessibility, and the type of refrigerant used. Generally, it can range from $200 to $650.
The air handler has the essential job of circulating the conditioned air to every corner of your home. It works hand-in-hand with the AC or heat pump to distribute the air throughout the ductwork of the house. Most air handlers look like a cased unit or furnace, and contain a blower, evaporation coils, and other ventilation parts.
You may need to replace your air handler if the airflow from your vents is weak or ice forms on your AC unit during the summer. These signs indicate a larger issue with the evaporator coils or a refrigerant leak.
Condenser coils are the part of the outdoor HVAC unit that’s responsible for releasing the heat absorbed by the evaporator coil. It’s an essential component of the heating and cooling process because it removes the pressure of the heated refrigerant, allowing the evaporator coil to repeat the cooling cycle with newly condensed refrigerant.
Keep an eye out for signs that it’s time to replace your condenser coil, such as loud noises coming from the outdoor unit and severe condensation or leaks.
You need to service an HVAC system about twice per year, with a service including an inspection and basic maintenance. It’s best to schedule maintenance in the spring (after the furnace has been running and before the AC kicks on) and in the fall (after the AC worked hard all summer and before winter’s first chill arrives).
Regular HVAC services will keep the system working as efficiently as possible, saving you money on utilities and larger repairs. HVAC maintenance costs around $250 per visit, while bigger repairs from forgotten upkeep could cost thousands.
There are several common types of HVAC systems that you may have, including split systems, hybrid HVAC, duct-free systems, packaged heating and air, geothermal heating, or even portable units for heating or cooling. If you aren’t sure which type is in your home or are looking to install something different, you should consult an HVAC pro to determine which option is right for your heating and cooling needs.
