HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning. It is a collective term for all the different types of cooling and heating systems used to regulate and move heated and cooled air throughout residential and commercial buildings. The goal of HVAC is to provide thermal comfort and acceptable indoor air quality. HVAC systems also improve indoor air quality through mechanical ventilation and filtration.
Some common HVAC systems include central air conditioning units, ductless mini-splits, furnaces, and boilers. Furnaces work by burning a fuel source, like natural gas or propane, to make heat. The heat produced is combined with cold air from your home, then is redistributed via ductwork to increase indoor temperature. Air conditioners remove heat and humidity from the air in your home and place it outside to reach your desired indoor temperature. Central AC cools your entire home, while ductless AC cools just one portion or room in your home.
HVAC is an important part of residential structures such as single-family homes, apartment buildings, hotels, and senior living facilities; medium to large industrial and office buildings such as skyscrapers and hospitals; vehicles such as cars, trains, airplanes, ships, and submarines; and in marine environments, where safe and healthy building conditions are regulated with respect to temperature and humidity, using fresh air from outdoors.
