Simply, HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning. An HVAC system is made up of ways to heat and cool an enclosed space, whether we are talking about a home, a commercial building, or even your car!
When people are comfortable- not too hot or too cold- work productivity increases, we sleep better, play better, and are basically happier. This is just one of the reasons why HVAC systems are a required element in construction of new buildings. There’s even scientific research that says that weather disasters can contribute to international disputes, so the importance of HVAC systems shouldn’t be underestimated!
HVAC systems are the heart and lungs of your home. The system controls the temperature and airflow throughout a space, and many systems also control humidity and air quality too.
If your home is too humid, it feels sticky and you might find tables and wooden chairs, and leather furniture sticky to the touch. Too much humidity encourages mildew and mold growth as well as providing a haven of growth for pests and microbes. By contrast, in the winter too little humidity can cause furniture, woodwork and walls to contract and even crack. It can lead to dry skin, chapped lips, scratchy throats and noses, and make people more vulnerable to infections, and causes an increase in static electricity.
Getting a balance between temperature and humidity and maintaining great air quality is the goal of any good HVAC contractor. We try to design a system that will help keep your family comfortable, no matter what kind of home you have, and no matter what Mother Nature dishes up outside.
You Need a Qualified HVAC Contractor
In order to do design systems that will provide you with the comfort you need for your home, HVAC contractors and technicians have extensive training. They need to understand air flow, insulation, ductwork, electrical wiring, piping, and plumbing. They have to be able to troubleshoot and solve problems on the fly. They also need to become licensed by the EPA to deal with the refrigerants required for air conditioning systems, and know how to work with oil and natural gas. As a result, many HVAC contractors often offer services like installing hot water tanks or inline hot water heaters, using their training with working with oil and natural gas systems and the plumbing required to work on boilers, radiators, and combination systems.
This training makes HVAC contractors like cardiologists for your home. They know how the air flows throughout the home and in each room, just like a circulatory system, and they know how to keep the whole “patient” healthy. But it also requires a homeowner to make the best decision about maintenance of the system, and knowing when a replacement is warranted. You’ll want to make sure the air filters are regularly changed, your ductwork is cleaned, and your system is maintained, just like you would get a regular checkup with your doctor to make sure your heart and circulation are working as well as possible.
Here at the Jersey Shore, our experts also need to know how to design a system that withstand the rigors of living near the ocean. Because we live near the ocean heating and cooling units have increased wear and tear and corrosion risk due to exposure to salt air and even occasional flooding, which can reduce the lifespan of your system. This is why Comfort Now is proud to carry the Coastal line of Carrier products, specially designed to hold up to the rigors of living near the shore.
If you have any questions about your HVAC system, call the experts here at Comfort Now By Bob McAllister at (609) 400-1005! We’re available to help make sure your system is working well, and can help you ensure a long lifespan for your existing system. We also have the advice and expertise you need if you need to upgrade or change your existing system, to become more efficient and less costly to run. We look forward to helping you stay comfortable!