Even though most have the luxury of flipping a switch to change the indoor air temperature, it’s common for homeowners (and even builders) to confuse the two main systems used for cooling: HVAC units and air conditioners. You may even be guilty of throwing around the acronyms HVAC and AC, thinking they mean the same thing.

We’re here to explain the differences and clear up any confusion.

An HVAC system has several functions, such as heating and cooling. But an AC unit only cools your home.

If you’re interested in knowing more about the differences between HVAC vs AC, continue reading.

What Is an HVAC Unit?

HVAC stands for:

• Heating (H)
• Ventilation (V)
• Air Conditioning (AC)

HVAC refers to ventilation which includes kitchen exhaust, dryer exhaust, bath exhausts, and commercial ventilation. While heating and cooling are essential functions of your HVAC system, it also provides ventilation, which allows moisture to escape. This is especially important for hot, humid climates (like Tampa) because humid heat can be more dangerous for your health than dry heat. 

An HVAC unit includes the following components:

• Air conditioning unit
• Furnace
• Air ducts and other ductwork

So while sometimes the acronym HVAC can refer to an air conditioning unit, not all AC units are HVAC units.

Let’s explore the components of an HVAC system further.

Heat Pumps

Heat pumps exchange warm air with cool air. There are two varieties to choose from.

The first is an air-source heat pump, which is typical for residential HVAC systems. These pumps are installed outside your home. They pull warm air, or heat, from the outside air and transfer it to your home.

The second type of heat pump is a ground-source or geothermal heat pump. They transfer heat between the ground and the air inside your home.

Although geothermal heat pumps have better energy efficiency and lower operating expenses, they are costly to install.

In the summer months, heat pumps pull warm air out from the inside of your home to cool the space.

Furnace

The furnace is the heating component of your HVAC unit. But don’t confuse furnaces with central heating.

While furnaces may be part of a central heating system, this isn’t always the case. Central heating systems require a heat source, and furnaces are the most common heating option.

Furnaces generate and distribute warm or hot air throughout your home. You can power your furnace with a variety of energy sources, including

• Electricity
• Natural gas
• Oil
• Propane

Gas furnaces are the most common, as nearly half of the homes in the U.S. use them. They are also highly economical.

In addition, there are several types of furnaces, including

• Natural-draft
• Forced-air
• Induced-draft
• Condensing

Older homes may even have a boiler system, which distributes heat by pumping hot water through small pipes.

Condensing furnaces are the most common today. They incorporate forced-air technology for better energy efficiency.

Ductless Systems

Although many HVAC systems use ductwork to distribute warm and cool air, installing a ductless system is possible too.

A ductless split system uses small air handlers to heat or cool a specific space. They are ideal for an individual room, such as a garage or sunroom, but not an entire house.

What Is an AC Unit?

An air conditioning system, or AC unit, cools your home. However, some builders may call anything that conditions the air (hot or cold) an AC unit, causing further confusion. To keep it straight in your mind, remember that an AC unit is a cooling system. 

There are two basic types of air conditioners: window units and central AC. You may use a window AC unit to cool a single room since it’s less powerful than central air. The window AC installation process is also easier and takes less time than installing a central system.

Central Air Conditioning

A central air conditioner uses forced air to cool your home, and circulates cool air throughout your home using a system of air ducts. It’s a closed loop of refrigerants and cycled air. The condenser, compressor, and evaporator coils work in a loop to cycle the refrigerant.

The supply ducts and registers carry cool air from the AC unit to the home. Registers are openings covered by grills in the:

• Ceilings
• Floors
• Walls

As the air warms, it flows back to the central air conditioning unit through the return ducts and registers.

Because central air uses a system, it can be easy to confuse with your HVAC system. However, to keep central AC vs HVAC separate, remember that central air refers only to your cooling system and is different from your furnace.

Central air conditioners come in two styles: a split-system unit or a packaged unit.

HVAC vs. AC: Know the Difference

Now that you better understand what an HVAC system and AC unit are, let’s summarize your knowledge by looking at their components and functional differences.

Component Differences

To simplify the component differences of the AC unit vss HVAC system, think of it this way; your HVAC is the entire system, whereas your AC is just your air conditioner.

It can be confusing because sometimes people use the term HVAC when they mean to say furnace or heat pump.

For example, if you already have an air conditioner, you don’t need an entirely new HVAC system. Instead, you only need to add the heating components to complete your HVAC system, so it provides both heating and cooling.

Functional Differences

The functional differences between AC v. HVAC are straightforward. Your AC system regulates the air inside the home. It can radiate hot air from the house, but it also uses a condenser to cool hot air from outside.

Conversely, your HVAC system is a piece of comprehensive equipment that can perform several tasks. While it can include your AC unit, when you say HVAC, you reference the system as a whole.

Tampa HVAC Experts

In the Tampa weather, you may think you don’t need an HVAC system, and that an AC unit will suffice. But leaving all that moisture in your home can make you feel muggy and wet.

When considering an HVAC vs AC unit, we suggest going for an HVAC system.

Contact us at 3H AC and schedule an appointment today for all your HVAC needs. With more than 46 years of experience, we’ll offer you the highest quality HVAC services and equipment in the Tampa area.

The post What’s the Difference Between HVAC and AC? appeared first on 3HAC.

We’re going to go over the top 5 most common air conditioner myths that come up time and time again during service calls or in conversations with people in general.

AIR CONDITIONER MYTHS AND FACTS

Myth: Filter changes only need to be done once per year.

Fact: While many people believe this is true, and your HVAC system will continue to run without changing them more consistently, this is the single biggest mistake we come across in the HVAC industry.

Your filter should be changed monthly, especially if you have pets or are in and out of the home often. Consistent filter changes don’t just protect family, friends, and coworkers from air quality contaminants. They also help protect your HVAC system from premature failure. That’s right, your filter helps keep your HVAC system running longer by preventing build-up of dirt and dust on parts allowing it to run at its best for longer.

Myth: The biggest HVAC system you can afford is always best

Fact: This could not be further from the truth. An oversized HVAC system will not run efficiently. One of the reasons we have air conditioning in the Tampa area is to remove humidity from a home or business. HVAC systems that are oversized will not run long enough to properly remove humidity from the air.

Sizing is one of the biggest considerations when replacing an HVAC system. If you have made changes to your home or business like and addition, chances are your old system may not be the right size anymore. Our expert HVAC technicians can help properly size your next HVAC system keep you cool and comfortable!

Myth: HVAC Systems do not need maintenance until they break

Fact: If you like expensive repairs this is totally the route you want to go! Proper maintenance also allows HVAC technicians to replace wearable parts before they actually break which can cause more damage to your HVAC system.

Did you know we offer maintenance plans that give your entire HVAC system a check twice a little more than a cup of coffee every month! Now while you’re sitting back enjoying all those cups of coffee each morning you can do so knowing your HVAC system is in tip-top shape.

Myth: You can easily find air leaks around your home or business.

Fact: Most homes and businesses tend to be a lot like a bag with a lot of holes in it. Since this is the case, it can be very difficult to track down an air leak. A professional can inspect the ductwork to make sure no sections have come apart. However, that does not account for issues within the building itself. One of the biggest things you can do for your HVAC system is making so you have the proper amount of insulation so your HVAC system doesn’t have to run overtime.

Myth: The best way to heat or cool your home or business is to turn up the thermostat.

Fact: If your HVAC system is not working properly, turning up the thermostat may not help at all. Damaged HVAC systems, leaky HVAC systems, improperly sized systems, etc. all may not be able to properly heat or cool the space they are in. When your HVAC system does not seem to be cooling like normal it’s time to start looking at potential issues with your HVAC system or the building it’s in for efficiency problems.

If your HVAC system is not working as it should, contact the air conditioning pros at 3H AC in Tampa, FL, to schedule an appointment today!

The post 5 Air Conditioner Myths That Could Cost You appeared first on 3HAC.

There are a lot of things to consider when it comes to your HVAC unit, including:

• the age of the system
• whether it currently works to capacity,
• the last time you changed your air filter and much more.

If your system is not keeping your home at a comfortable temperature it’s time to call in a professional who will know what to look for.

 Spring

When the first days of spring are upon you it’s time to check that your air conditioning system is ready for the season. This involves an AC tune-up. The professional will ensure that the AC is in good working order before the hottest days of the summer are upon you.

Summer

It’s important to change the filter monthly, especially if someone in your home suffers from allergies, but even more important to change it after Spring, moving into summer. Check that airflow is correct, tighten any electrical connections, and monitor refrigerant pressure. Don’t forget to clean your condensate drain.

Fall

When fall is upon you it’s time to get another tune-up but this time with heating your home in mind. Check thermostat calibration, clean the furnace burner assembly, and check again for proper airflow and change the filter. Both Spring and Fall are high allergy times and you want to remove allergens that can make your family uncomfortable. Also, be sure to measure the temperature difference between supply air and return air.

Winter

Now that winter is upon you, again, ensure that you’ve changed all filters, tightened all electrical components and lubricated all moving parts. Double-check equipment condition area and clearance from debris to avoid furnace fires. A lot of HVAC units are in closets that also end up as storage repositories, ensure that there is plenty of clearance to avoid fire hazards.

Every season pay attention to whether or not your system is making noises that it shouldn’t, whether there are smells that you don’t want there, and other issues that can affect performance. Your HVAC professional offers packages for Winter and Summer tune-ups to help make the most out of your HVAC system, keeping you and your family cool or warm

The post HVAC Inspection & Repair by the Season  appeared first on 3HAC.

Improve Indoor Air Quality

The quality of the air you breathe inside your home can affect the your health, too. Your air filters are designed to trap any particulates and dust that may irritate your respiratory system, but they can’t do that as effectively if they’re clogged. If someone in your home has nasal allergies, it’s even more important to change or clean your filters.

Ignoring dirty filters can lead to:

• Reduced air flow
• Up to 15% higher operating costs
• Expensive duct cleaning services
• Reduced system efficiency
• Costly repairs
• Potential health problems

Dirty Filters = Stressed System

When your filters are dirty, it’s much harder for your HVAC system to effectively move air out of your ducts and into your home. When air has to strain to get through clogged filters, your HVAC system is being stressed and that can lead to problems down the road.

An Inexpensive Investment

The harder your HVAC system has to work on a day-to-day basis, the shorter its lifespan. Changing your filters isn’t just an investment in your health, it’s an investment in one of your most expensive appliances! Keeping your filters clean is an easy and cost-effective way to keep HVAC problems at bay and to extend the life of its components.

We at 3H AC strongly recommend you take this simple and inexpensive measure to maintain your HVAC system and extend it’s life.

The post The Importance of Changing Your HVAC Filters appeared first on 3HAC.

Almost everyone is aware that your vehicle needs regular tune-ups to keep it in prime condition and extend the life of your automobile. What a lot of people don’t know is that your home HAVC /  furnace needs regular seasonal tune-ups also.

How often should I have my HVAC / furnace tuned up?

Home HVAC / furnace tune-ups should be done regularly. It is recommended that you tune-up your HVAC / furnace once a year. This is to make sure the HVAC / furnace is running smoothly and at maximum efficiency. Tune-ups are also done as a preventative measure, to prevent any major issues down the line.

How do tune-ups help my HVAC / furnace?

Safety

As the saying goes, “safety first”. The number one reason to get regular, yearly furnace tune-ups is for your safety. Your HVAC / furnace is a potentially dangerous appliance, considering that it runs by burning fuel. Regular maintenance such as yearly cleaning / tune-ups can prevent potentially life-threatening malfunctions.

Efficiency

Yearly tune-ups help keep your HVAC / furnace running smoothly and at maximum efficiency. The smoother your furnace is working, the better control you have over the temperature of your home. A more efficient furnace also saves you money in the long run.

Maintenance

Just like with your vehicle, regular maintenance can help avoid needing repairs in the future. The better care you take of your HVAC / furnace, the better shape it will be in to keep it running. After all, no one wants to have to wait for a repairman to come out and fix their furnace in the dead of winter, and then have to pay the fees for doing so. You can avoid a lot of problems by keeping up with regular maintenance, and yearly tune-ups are your number one weapon against needing future repairs.

Money

Yearly tune-ups, as part of your regular HVAC / furnace maintenance, can save you money in a few different ways.

First of all, as already discussed, you are less likely to have to pay for costly repairs when you are vigilant about proper maintenance like tune-ups. Not having to pay a repairman to come out and fix a broken furnace certainly keeps money in your pocket.

Second, yearly tune-ups keep your HVAC / furnace working in prime condition. When your HVAC / furnace is working more efficiently, not only is the temperature of your home better regulated, but you are saving money on the cost of heating your home. A smooth and efficiently running furnace puts money in your pocket by saving money on energy costs.

Lastly, yearly tune-ups save you money by preventing any voids on your manufacturer’s warranty. Most warranties require that you keep up with regularly scheduled maintenance such as tune-ups, if you do not abide by these terms, your warranty could be void. Then if anything ever happens to your HVAC / furnace, even if the malfunction isn’t due to improper maintenance, you will be responsible for the costs of a new HVAC / furnace rather than the warranty paying to replace the HVAC / furnace.

Most of all, yearly tune-ups save you piece of mind. To avoid accidents, repairs, and to keep your HVAC / furnace running efficiently, make sure you are getting your regularly scheduled tune-ups.

View our HVAC / Furnace Maintenance Plans and Click Here to view our reviews on Google

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