What Is HVAC? Learn About the Main Components, Types of HVAC Systems, and More
Hint: It’s much more than just air conditioning
Highlights
HVAC means “heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.”
HVAC is a broad term for the systems and components that heat and cool your home.
There are several kinds of HVAC systems, including split and packaged systems.
HVAC stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. From regulating your home’s temperature to regulating air quality, an HVAC system plays an important role in keeping your living space comfortable. So, besides the meaning of the acronym, what is HVAC, exactly? Let’s break down the basics of these systems, including how they work, what they include, and more.
What Is HVAC?
HVAC—an abbreviation for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning—refers to the devices, distribution system, and related components that heat and cool residential and commercial spaces. HVAC systems also improve indoor air quality by blocking out contaminants and controlling humidity.
How HVAC Systems Work
There are different types of HVAC systems with varying parts, but most of them include indoor and outdoor units, each of which has its own parts. We’ll dive into the various types and parts of an HVAC system shortly, but at a basic level, here’s how the heating and cooling process works:
Units pull air from outside or inside the house.
The system heats or cools the air through mechanical ventilation.
The HVAC unit distributes the newly warm or cool air through ducts or a ductless unit to create a more comfortable temperature inside of a space.
Main Parts of an HVAC System
In any HVAC system, there are multiple moving parts that work together to heat or cool your home. The most common components of an HVAC system include:
Air conditioner: Air conditioners remove heat and humidity from the indoor air and release it outside. There are several types of air conditioners, including central AC systems and ductless mini-split systems.
Heat pump: Heat pumps pull in outside air, heat it, and release the warm air into your home. They can also reverse this process to cool your home.
Furnace: Often powered by natural gas or electricity, furnaces create and release heat into your home to make it warmer.
Thermostat: You can use a thermostat to adjust the temperature inside your home and turn your HVAC system on and off.
Ductwork: Many HVAC systems use ductwork—which is a system of air ducts and vents—to circulate hot or cold air to different rooms.
Air handler: This component operates (and looks) like a furnace, but it works with an air conditioner or heat pump to distribute air throughout a home.
Types of HVAC Systems
Choosing the right type of HVAC system for your home will depend on several factors, including your local climate, the size and layout of your house, and your budget. Here are a few of the most common systems to help you decide which one is best for your needs.
"Energy efficiency should be a top priority for any homeowner. This does require an initial investment, but it pays off in the long run with lower energy bills. Plus, there are often incentives and rebates available from local utility providers for making energy-efficient upgrades."
— Bill Taylor, HVAC Contractor Manager, South Jersey Gas & Elizabethtown Gas
Split Systems
As the most common kind of HVAC system, split systems have both an indoor and outdoor unit (which is where the name “split” system comes from). The exterior unit is responsible for cooling the air and keeping hot air out, and the interior system warms the air and pushes it into the ductwork for distribution.
Hybrid Systems
Hybrid systems are similar to split systems, but the main difference is that they can switch between gas and electricity, which makes them more energy efficient. They’re often pricier to install than split systems, but they may help reduce your utility costs in the long run.
Packaged Heating and Air Systems
Packaged HVAC systems contain both the “indoor” and outdoor parts of an HVAC system in one unit. This unit goes outside your home—either sitting on a concrete slab or as a rooftop HVAC unit. They’re useful if you need to conserve space, but they don’t last as long as split systems.
Ductless Systems
Also known as duct-free or mini-split systems, ductless HVAC systems don’t use ductwork to circulate warm or cool air. Instead, they consist of individual units that can heat or cool a single room. This gives you more control over the temperature in a particular room, but they can cost more to install than other systems.
HVAC System Installation and Repair Costs
The cost to install an HVAC system depends on the type and size of the system, labor rates in your area, and other factors. However, here are some cost estimates for the most common kinds of HVAC systems.
| Type of HVAC System | Average Installation Cost |
|---|---|
| Split system | $3,900–$8,000 |
| Hybrid system | $2,500–$10,000 |
| Packaged heating and air system | $10,000–$14,000 |
| Ductless system | $2,000–$14,500 |
If your heating or cooling stops working, have a local HVAC company come take a look at your system. On average, HVAC repairs cost between $130 and $2,000, but prices depend on the specific problem and type of HVAC unit.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. HVAC, which stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, includes all of the systems that work together to regulate a building’s temperature and humidity levels. In comparison, air conditioners only provide cooling. You can have an air conditioner as part of your HVAC system, but not all HVAC systems include air conditioners.
HVAC systems last between 10 and 30 years, with an average life span of 20 years. However, the components of an HVAC system have different life expectancies. For example, a heat pump lasts between 10 and 20 years on average, while a furnace might last between 15 and 30 years.