HVAC, what influences optimal air conditioning?

The concept of HVAC is something that is widely used and is trendy in the air conditioning sector. But, what does it mean? Well, it basically refers above all to air conditioning, although with many nuances. In addition, this term can also be used to understand good practice in the use of ventilation systems alongside air conditioning or heating.

The meaning of HVAC comes to be "heating, ventilation, and air conditioning," coming from the expression in English Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning. And although it is used in our days and seems like something recent, it is actually only recent in our language. Because in the Anglo-Saxon world, it has been used for almost always, and its history is centuries old.

Because the beginnings of HVAC are the same as those of air conditioning. We can attribute it to the inventor Willis Haviland Carrier, whose name will ring a bell for more than one: his surname today is one of the world leaders in air conditioning equipment. The engineer developed in 1902 the first machine to cool and control air humidity, as he wanted to improve the conditions of the printing industry, which needed to improve the printing and fixation of ink on the publication papers, which were affected by heat. It took him 12 years to adapt his idea to the domestic system and achieve the first air conditioning system in history, in the American city of Minneapolis. And everything else is a key milestone in the history of ventilation.

However, we can go further and ask what HVAC means in the air conditioning sector. When we talk about HVAC, we refer to the best practices to achieve thermal comfort and health indoors. Specific salubrity conditions must be given, and ensure that the air breathed is of the highest quality and comfort.

What does HVAC compose of?

Historically, HVAC was conceived in a more general way, taking into account natural or artificial ventilation, seeking the best air passage. To improve temperature, traditional heating and air conditioning appliances were considered. Nowadays, mechanical ventilation systems and improvements in construction ensure that all concepts come together.

How does each of the HVAC elements work?

• Heating. It consists of providing heat to the air to enjoy a better temperature in winter. Traditionally, heating systems were chosen, but nowadays, double flow mechanical ventilation systems are capable of providing warm air thanks to a heat exchanger, which is much more efficient. Other systems include efficient heat pumps, and finally electric resistances, which have very high consumption.
• Cooling. It consists of seeking comfort indoors during the warmest months by cooling the rooms. Undoubtedly, the most known system is that of air conditioning units. They use compressors to compress a gas that will then provide cold air. The problem they have is their high consumption, although they have improved over the years. Other systems are evaporative cooling, suitable for dry climates, and double flow mechanical ventilation can also introduce cooled air into a room through the same exchanger.

• Ventilation. It has existed for many centuries since air renewal in an enclosed space is essential for good health. Historically, when buildings allowed air to pass easily, the use of mechanical systems was not as necessary. But today, buildings enjoy greater tightness, so air does not filter through walls, doors, and windows, making a ventilation system necessary. With double flow ventilation systems in well-sealed buildings, we can achieve the necessary thermal comfort without the use of air conditioning in summer or heating in winter.

We must also take into account in HVAC other secondary concepts, but totally rooted in air conditioning. The main one would be controlling humidity, which will notably influence our thermal sensation and also health. Others are indoor air movement and cleanliness, which with a mechanical ventilation system can be optimized indoors.