You probably don’t think much about your HVAC system beyond setting the thermostat and getting cool or warm air. However, there’s a lot involved in maintaining that air in a way that keeps your home comfortable. Here’s a crash course in HVAC science.
The HVAC Science of Cooling
According to the Second Law of Thermodynamics, heat only flows from a warmer place to a cooler one. That’s why, when air flows over the evaporator coil, the cold, liquid refrigerant can absorb its heat. The air cools while the liquid heats, turning to vapor. That vapor flows into the compressor, where it’s put under extreme pressure to become hotter. Finally, it goes to the condenser, which relieves the pressure, turning the hot vapor into a cold liquid again.
The cool air from the evaporator is pumped into your home, while the hot air from the compressor is vented outside. However, if you have a heat pump, you can reverse the airflow in winter. The hot air is pumped into your home, while the cold air is vented out as a byproduct.
The HVAC Science of Ventilation
Though it’s a less-complex system, the HVAC science behind keeping your home’s airflow balanced is just as important to your comfort as is the cooling cycle. Your house has two kinds of vents: supply and return. Supply vents are connected to the ducts that transport air from your system to each room. As your supply vents pump air into a room, it increases the air pressure. To keep the pressure balanced, return vents suck the air back up into separate ducts and return it to your system’s air handler, where it can be conditioned again and flow back into your home.
Ideally, you should have a return vent in every room. If you don’t have enough vents, it’s important to keep the doors open between rooms as much as possible, so air can flow properly throughout your house.
For a technician who understands HVAC science and what it means for your home, contact us at Mowery Heating, Cooling and Plumbing. We provide Indianapolis with quality home-comfort solutions.
