If you’re looking for a new home or considering replacing your current heating or cooling system in Jacksonville, North Carolina, you’ve probably encountered the acronym, HVAC. Since it provides atmosphere control, HVAC is one of the most important mechanical systems in a building.

Keep reading to learn what exactly HVAC stands for, and what it means for your Jacksonville, North Carolina, home.

What Does an HVAC System Do in Your Jacksonville, NC, Home?

You can identify what an HVAC system is by breaking down the letters in the acronym. HVAC stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. The function of an HVAC system is to create an acceptable air environment inside of a building. Specific functions include:

  • Temperature control
  • Airflow
  • Humidity control

An HVAC system is comprised of different parts, each serving a particular role. The parts included in the typical HVAC system are:

  • A boiler or furnace for heating
  • Ducts or some other ventilation system
  • An air conditioning unit
  • A thermostat

What is the Difference Between HVAC and AC?

Since they’re often used interchangeably, it can be difficult to figure out the difference between an AC system and an HVAC system. As one would assume looking at the names, AC, or air conditioning, is included in under the broader umbrella of HVAC. A full HVAC system also includes a heating and ventilation system.

HVAC Options

As with any system as complex and important as an HVAC, there are plenty of options to consider when looking into HVAC systems.

Should You Get an Integrated System?

You can install each component of the HVAC system separately, but an increasingly popular option is to have them combined into one fully integrated HVAC system. By combining the systems, you’ll be able to ensure that each piece works together to maximize energy efficiency. There are even units available that combine both heating and cooling functions into one machine.

Ductless or Central AC?

In an area that gets as hot as Jacksonville, North Carolina, can in the summer, the AC unit may be the most important part of the HVAC equation. Consider the size and age of your home when deciding between central and ductless AC.

A central AC system uses air ducts to pump cool air through a home. A ductless, or mini-split system forgoes the ducts. Because it pushes the air throughout an entire home, central is the better choice for larger buildings. Ductless is ideal for a home where ducts would be very difficult or impossible to install.

Another important part of getting the most out of your HVAC system is choosing a high-quality installer. Jacksonville Heating & Cooling, an HVAC company in Jacksonville, North Carolina, has years of experience installing and servicing HVACs, and we carry units from top brands, like Trane and Lennox. Contact us to request a free quote.