HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) Basics

HVAC, (the acronym that stands for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) means little more than a creature comfort, necessity, or a stiff repair bill to most homeowners today. Some homeowners don't even know what the acronym stands for in full! That being said, it is the responsibility of every homeowner to both know the basics without having to call Handyman Hank for help.

As the old mantra goes the best place to start is from the beginning, so let's begin by touching on a bit of history of the HVAC field. The systems inclusion in the home began way back in the industrial revolution when new methods of electronics and manufacturing became available, and lets face it, we got tired of sweating at work and at home. Heating and air-conditioning provides proper temperature and higher indoor air quality through mechanical engineering feats that are still being improved upon today.

The first portion of the acronym, heating, is most often used by way of a central heating system consisting of a boiler or furnace to heat water or air, and ductwork that provides a transport medium to move the warmed air throughout a structure. Typically the heating portion of the systems (i.e. radiators, heat pumps) is located in the coldest part of the home in order to provide proper circulation. Unsurprisingly, the invention of central air systems is credited to the ancient Romans, who created ductwork in homes and public baths.

Ventilating, also an important addition to HVAC, consists of the systems that exchanges, replaces, and filters existing indoor air in order to create a higher indoor air quality. Rooms in the home such as bathrooms use a more mechanical form of ventilation in order to reduce humidity and odors, while items such as ceiling fans seek to lower perceived temperatures and draw in fresh air through an open window. Your central air system also most likely uses ventilation in its process and provides high air quality through filters that eliminate and capture dust, mold spores, and other indoor allergens.

Lastly, air-conditioning systems work on the fact that cold air is the absence of heated air. These systems rely on principles such as conduction or chemical refrigerants to remove heat, therefore producing cool air. The ductwork that your central heating system uses is probably also used to disperse this cool air throughout the home. Some systems also use a dehumidifier to lower the temperature of the air as moist air seems warmer than dry air.

Heating, Ventilating, and Air-Conditioning does not have to be difficult, and through a little research you can become more informed and discuss your homes' system with your repairman effectively enough to keep it in working order. Call your local repairman or the manufacturer of your system for tips on how to keep your system running great.

Save on your energy bill today visit www.abelonsite.com for maintenance and service information.

Posted by WebDrafter.com, Inc. with permission.

Article independently authored by Matthew Eddington. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Abel Onsite.

Install Radiant Floor Heating for Increased Comfort & Cost Savings

One of life's little nasty surprises is stepping out of the shower onto a chilly floor. Fortunately, you don't have to tolerate this discomfort any longer. With a radiant floor system, you can enjoy toasty warm floors - and many other advantages as well.

Radiant floor heating is a method of keeping a room or house warm by installing the heating elements under your flooring. The systems can be either electric or hydronic. Hydronic systems have been around for many years but are quite involved to install and, generally, not a good do-it-yourself project. They require lots of tubing, water heaters, pumps and other devices. On the whole, hyrdonic systems are best for heating very large areas.

For areas ranging from 300 square feet up to about 3,000 square feet, the low voltage radiant heat system works well. It is composed of 12" wide mesh installed on the sub-floor with the final floor covering installed on top of the mesh. Installation is made easy as the mesh can be nailed through without harming it. Spaces under 300 square feet can be heated with a line voltage system. Such systems are commonly used in kitchens and bathrooms. Rather than mesh, the system utilizes heating cables that are laid out on the sub-floor with the final flooring installed on top. Both of these systems can be installed under carpet, wood, tile, stone or marble. Once installed, both systems should be maintenance free as there are no moving parts or filters to change.

Radiant systems have two major advantages over forced air that make them appealing. The first advantage is cost savings as a result of greater efficiency. With a standard furnace, the air is heated remotely and then pushed to its final location The energy required to push the air adds dollars to your utility bill but does not nothing to heat your house. Further, some of the heat in the warmed air will be lost during transit through your duct work. With a radiant system, a much greater percentage of the expended energy is used to warm the room since heat is being generated where it is needed. This is much more efficient and easier on your utility bill. In fact, many people have reported savings of more than 30%.

The second advantage over a forced air system is comfort. Since the heat is emitted uniformly across the entire floor, cool spots are eliminated. With forced air, the heat enters the room at one or two locations and must then diffuse into the remaining portions of the room. As result, some parts of the room will be warmer than others. In a radiant system, the heat is dispersed evenly providing a more constant and uniform temperature.

The cost to install a radiant system can vary significantly depending on your specific situation. However, $4 to $10 per foot installed is typical with a standard bathroom being under $1,000. On any job, economy of scale will work in your favor meaning that the cost per square foot will go down as the area to be heated goes up.

No matter what your job size, you should solicit at least two estimates from contractors and ask for references. As in any trade, contractor quality can vary greatly so ask lots of questions before hiring somebody. Hopefully, you can now make a more informed decision and be able to retire your fuzzy, bunny slippers. With a radiant floor system, you just won't need them anymore.

For more information and guidance about radiant heat flooring, visit http://www.abelonsite.com. Abel Onsite, located outside Minneapolis, MN, specializes in solar heating, geothermal, HVAC and air conditioning systems.

Posted by WebDrafter.com, Inc. with permission.
Article independently authored by Eric Parish. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Abel Onsite.

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Abel Onsite offers residential and commercial heating and cooling solutions. Not only will we assess your heating and cooling needs, but also the overall quality of the air you're living in.



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