HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning and is usually a term used to describe interior air systems.
HVAC is sometimes referred to as climate control or heating and cooling but in essence, HVAC is basically a system built to regulate air temperature, regulate and control humidity levels and air quality in order to provide comfortable, enjoyable and healthy environment.
There are 3 main parts to HVAC systems:
HEATING: Heating is obviously very important in our part of the world as it provides us with the ability to have a very comfortable life even with extreme low temperatures outside.
There are 2 main heating systems used in Canada:
- Oil Based heating systems
- Gas Based systems
As well. there are 3 different distribution ways:
- Water heaters (radiators)
- Forced air
- Ductless Systems (sometimes called Split Air Systems)
COOLING & AIR CONDITIONING: Cooling & Air conditioning is a different story here in Toronto and Canada as a whole.
Because of our short, “easy” summer home owners are not as inclined to invest at “central” solutions and so we’ve got several different cooling systems:
- Central Air – Usually using the furnace existing duct system to spread the air throughout the house.
- Window air conditioners – the cheap and easy solutions but heavy on electricity, noisy and only good for one room.
- Ductless Air Conditioners or Split systems – These are basically units built without ducts and designed to go through a wall, having vents and heat sinks both inside and outside.
VENTILATION: Ventilation is a way to clean, clear and remove bad, stale air or smoke throughout the house.