Introduction
Heating and cooling systems have become an integral part of our lives, keeping us cool during the winter and warm during the summers. In the event that you’re cooling system breakdown, the natural reaction is to call a professional to service your system. However, you could cut the servicing costs and ensure that the system works efficiently by performing the maintenance work yourself. But, before you can do that, it important to understand the basics of how heating cooling home systems function.
Step 1
How They Work
All heating cooling home systems are made up of three components: a source of warmed or cooled air, a means of circulating the warm/cool air around the house and a means used to regulate the system, such as a thermostat. The warm and cool air generated by the heating and cooling system will often use the same distribution and control system. When you’re heating or cooling system breaks down, then the problem will lie with one of these three components. The heating system will burn fuel (gas or oil) to produce heat and channel it through a house, while a cooling system will use electricity to cool the air and distribute it in your house.
Step 2
Types of Heating Cooling Home Distribution Systems
Once the air has been cooled or warmed, it will need to be distributed to the various rooms in your house. This is the purpose of fitting a heating cooling home distribution system. There are three main types of systems that can accomplish this purpose, which include:
Step 3
Forced-air systems: this heating cooling home distribution system utilizes an electrically powered fan, known as a blower, to force the heated or cooled air through the distribution system in your house. This system is adjustable, which will allow you to increase or decrease the airflow in your house. Problems related to forced air systems, usually revolve around a mal function with the blower. Blowers may also be noisy, and contribute to the cost of your energy bills.
Step 4
Gravity systems: this system relies on the basic principle that hot air rises, while cool air sinks. Therefore, gravity systems can not be used to circulate cool air from an air conditioner. The furnace used to power the heating cooling home system is often located in the basement. Once the air has been heated, it will rise through the ducting systems towards the ceiling. Once it has cooled down, it will sink through the air ducts, back to the furnace for reheating.
Step 5
Radiant system: this system will often use heated water to warm up the air, walls, ceilings and floors in a house. Some heating cooling home systems will use electric heated panels to generate heat, which is then distributed through a house. They are very similar gravity systems, in that they will depend on the natural flow of air, rather than force it through the distribution system.
Tips
Control Mechanism for Heating and Cooling System
Heating cooling home systems will typically depend on a thermostat to regulate the temperature in a house. The latest heating and cooling systems will utilize solid-state electronics, for controlling the temperature of a house.
Sources and Citations
Understanding how a heating cooling home system works, is the first step towards setting it up and repairing it yourself.
