difference between hvac and a/c

[bjohn]

i'm building a "green" home, but, living in florida, i need cool air. i've done a lot of internet searches, but can't find the difference between hvac and traditional a/c. what does hvac do that is better than traditional a/c?

[Senior Tech]

Hvac= Heating, ventilation and air conditioning

AC= Air conditioning

[bjohn]

sothe units work basically the same way, central unit, vents and ducts throughout the house, the hvac just does more than just cool?

[smngmu]

HVAC is the business.A/C is but one aspect of the whole.HVAC is used to signify persons schooled in Heating,Air Conditioning and Ventilation.Ventilation is the aspect of it that covers your duct system.You don't have HVAC in your house.You have central air or central heat and air.

[Senior Tech]

Just as it's stated; "H" includes the ability to heat the air as well as cool it. You can have a system designed without the ability to heat...but you may find that even in Florida heat comes in handy 1 or 2 days a year.

[dash]

Where in Florida,and do you plan to have it "rated"?

I'm asking because we have a person that needs to work under a rater,to get their final certification.

[bjohn]

wow, thanks for all the info. dash, i'm in the final planning stages. building will be in citrus county.

[dash]

Originally posted by bjohn
wow, thanks for all the info. dash, i'm in the final planning stages. building will be in citrus county.

Bingo,that would be our home,if you have it rated our gal would like to work with your rater, to complete her certification,if that would be possible.

[Chill]

Originally posted by smngmu
HVAC is the business.A/C is but one aspect of the whole.HVAC is used to signify persons schooled in Heating,Air Conditioning and Ventilation.Ventilation is the aspect of it that covers your duct system.You don't have HVAC in your house.You have central air or central heat and air.

I am glad this finally came up. For years I have been reading on this site from HO'ers, about wanting thier HVAC fixed. No one ever bothered to correct anyone.

[docholiday]

you could have :)


Air conditioning is really all season. We condition the air for comfort and that should include Cooling, Heating, Air Cleaning or Ventilation. Most people think of air conditioning as cooling only.

[Chill]

That's right, a furnace is an air-conditioner too!

[MikeJ]

Originally posted by Chill
That's right, a furnace is an air-conditioner too!


Dead wrong. Now you are gonna confuse him again. Correct yourself.

[rickboggs]

Originally posted by MikeJ

Originally posted by Chill
That's right, a furnace is an air-conditioner too!


Dead wrong. Now you are gonna confuse him again. Correct yourself.

Dead wrong?
An air conditioner is an AIR..... CONDITIONER... it conditions the air.

If I'm hot, I condition the air by cooling it (removing the heat).
If I'm cold, I condition the air by heating it.
If I feel muggy, I condition the air by dehumidifing it (removing vapor).
If I feel dry, I condition the air by humidifing it (adding vapor)
If it's dirty, I condition the air by filtering it.
If it clean.... uh good!

[mjk_na]

HVAC

"H" - Heating

"V" - Ventilation

"AC" - Air conditioning

When we talk about heating, it is mostly related to radiant heating (using radiators, stove, fire place, and electrical heating strip), and furnaces.

Ventilation is to do with air exchange between a room, and open air (fresh air).

An air conditioner is normally referred to, refrigerant-filled-compressor, condenser, expansion valve, and evaporator-fitted equipment.

However, the common mechanical air conditioner (there are gas absorption air conditioners for industrial use) is not the only air conditioning unit.

Air conditioning equipment include,

- common air conditioners and heat pumps,
- humidifiers,
- dehumidifiers,
- air filtration systems,
- and air mixing and circulation systems (ducts with blowers and other accessories)

Air conditioning equipment can be used on its own, or in combination with heating and ventilation equipment.

http://www.air-conditioner-selection.com/air-conditioning-article-001.html

[MikeJ]

Aw, c'mon. Just playing with your words.

Originally posted by Chill
That's right, a furnace is an air-conditioner too!


A residential air conditioner is a unit outside and a coil inside connected to it as you know. For convienience and cost they mount the inside coil above a furnace and cheat by using the furnace blower to condition the air. (OK, and the control board and tstat is shared too.) That's recent tho, at first they just ran the blower from the stat.

So, I'm being picky and humorous. Beat me.

[teddy bear]

A point- take the V out of HVAC and you see whats left. HAC Just a little humor. Seriously, every home needs consideration for the "V". On a still summer day with no wind, the fresh air entering a home is nothing. Oxygen levels drop, pollutant levels billed up, and with occupants inplace moisture builds up. Fresh air ventilation, air filtering, and controlling the %RH are the suttle requirements of a comfortable healthy home. These issues don't just happen, but must be designed into the system. HVAC is a complete system when down by a professional. Worth a couple extra bucks. TB