What Is HVAC & How It Works

HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning — the system that keeps your indoor air comfortable, healthy, and energy efficient all year long.

What Does HVAC Do?

Every HVAC system is designed to do three things: heat your home, cool your home, and circulate fresh air. Whether you have a central air conditioner, furnace, heat pump, or ductless mini-split, all HVAC systems follow the same basic science — move heat where you want it, and remove it where you don’t.

Key Components of an HVAC System

Compressor & Condenser: The outdoor unit that releases heat absorbed from indoors.
Evaporator Coil: Absorbs heat inside your home during cooling mode.
Air Handler: Moves conditioned air through your ducts or indoor heads.
Thermostat: The control center that tells your system when to heat or cool.
Filtration: Air filters remove dust, pollen, and allergens to keep air clean.

How Heating Works

Heating systems create or transfer warmth into your home. Furnaces burn gas or use electricity to heat air, which is pushed through ducts. Heat pumps absorb heat from outside air (even in cold weather) and move it indoors using refrigerant.

How Cooling Works

Air conditioners and heat pumps cool by absorbing indoor heat and releasing it outdoors. Refrigerant circulates between the evaporator coil (indoors) and the condenser coil (outdoors), transferring heat energy away from your living space.