Practically all houses have heating and cooling systems. They are mostly out of sight-out of mind, unless they break down and you need to fix them. Several types of these systems exist. If you wish to install a system into a new house or replace your current system, you’ll want to know your alternatives so you’ll know what to compare. The following is a brief synopsis of the major systems and how they function:
- A gravity furnace is typically located on the lower levels of the residence and heats air. The air travels through pipes and heats the house. As it cools it goes back to the furnace and starts the cycle all over again.
- Radiant heating systems heat water in a boiler. The water warms the house after moving through radiators and goes back to be heated again after it cools.
- Ducted systems use ducts to deliver either heated or cooled air to a house.
- Heat pumps can either be air or ground source and can function as heaters or air conditioners.
Common plumbing problems like frozen pipes hardly ever happen in a effectively heated house. But don’t assume that your pipes are safe. You may have plumbing pipes that are near outside walls and you must make sure that they are well insulated at vulnerable places.
The following are different types of air conditioning systems.
- A window air conditioner is very common in small rooms. They consist of all components of an air conditioning system housed in one unit and small enough to fit in a window opening.
- A split air conditioner has two parts, one inside the home and the other is positioned outside. The outdoor part is composed of the condenser, expansion valve and the compressor. The indoor part has the cooling fins, fan and evaporator. A gas, usually Freon, is compressed in the condenser and changes into a liquid while at the same time losing heat. It is pumped into the indoor evaporator where it takes heat from the air inside the house and turns into a gas. It then goes back to the outside condenser and the cycle starts all over again.
- Heat pumps work much like split air conditioners but they draw cool air or water from outside or underground and send it through a condenser to cool the dwelling.
Most climate control systems will need repair and maintenance to keep your house at the appropriate temperature. With all of the various kinds of heating and cooling systems, not to mention distinct manufacturers and brands, it’s wise to call a professional HVAC company to fix your furnace or air conditioner when you have difficulties.
