Introduction to HVAC: Chapter 1
In this module, we will talk about what HVAC(R) systems are. We will also go through a history of HVAC(R) systems and compare how it has changed over the years.
Define: HVAC (R)
HVAC(R) stands for
H - Heating Systems
V - Ventilation Systems
AC - Air Conditioning Systems
R - Refrigeration Systems
These systems work together to provide us a healthy and comfortable lifestyle.
Heating systems are used to provide warm air in our homes when we experience cold temperatures. Furnaces are an example of heating systems. They burn fuel or use electricity to make warm air in a home.
The main purpose of ventilation is to provide a constant supply of fresh air. We naturally open windows for fresh air, but this can bring in unwanted cold or hot winds. Ventilation can help maintain normal temperatures inside while also removing stale air.
Fans and blowers are examples of ventilation systems because they help to circulate air. Blowers can push air in a specific direction that you want.
An example of a blower is a hairdryer. The hairdryer pushes a specific amount of air in one direction.
Air conditioning cools your home during the hot summers. An example is a window air conditioner, which maintains cool temperatures for a specific room. There are also many other air conditioners that can provide cool temperatures to larger spaces.
Refrigeration is a cooling system for keeping substances cold. Refrigeration is often used to keep foods or medicines from spoiling because bacterial growth is slowed at lower temperatures. A refrigerator is an example of a refrigeration system.
The Importance of HVAC(R) Systems
HVAC (R) systems are important because they provide modern conveniences in our life. For example, heating systems help us maintain warm temperatures during the winter. On the other hand, air conditioning provides cool air on hot summer days.
The HVAC (R) systems also work together to ensure we lead healthy lives. Ventilation systems provide clean air and remove unwanted smells. Ventilation also removes carbon dioxide and brings in fresh oxygen for people to breathe.
A refrigeration system helps to store food, medicine, and chemicals at cool temperatures. For example, food can be kept at temperatures around 0° F or –18° C for months without decay.
Brief History of HVAC Systems
Heating and cooling systems have changed a lot throughout history. Now we will take a look at how people in the past have brought heat, cooling and ventilation into their homes.
Ancient Greek civilizations started to use central heating to warm their homes. To do this, they built a basement in their homes to keep fires lit. Hot air rises, so the heat generated in the basement would circulate throughout the home.
In the past, people built houses with high ceilings and multiple windows to circulate air. This led to the invention of ductwork, which was used to distribute air throughout the home. This has been a lasting feature that we still use ductwork in our current systems.
An example of an early AC system comes from the Chinese. The Chinese discovered that moving air on the skin creates a temporary cooling effect. So, they invented fans operated by hand.
To keep food cool, early Greeks and Romans covered storage pits with snow and tree branches. The storage pits act like a natural cooler in the ground. So it preserved food for a few days without food spoiling.
Shortfalls of Previous HVAC(R) Systems
Even though our ancestors were creative with their tools, there were shortfalls to the previous heating and cooling systems.
The ancient Greeks did not have an efficient heating system. People used to burn 5 kilograms of wood to heat a house. Now, the same house requires fewer resources, because just 1 kilogram of natural gas or oil can heat the home.
Previous ventilation systems were heat-driven, so people in the past used the idea of hot air rising to circulate air. But the problem with this is that it is dependent on the season because we would not want to circulate hot air in the summer. There were no modern fans or blowers to help circulate the air.
Before modern air conditioners, people would have to use hand-operated fans to make cool air. This requires human effort. Moderns fans can use electricity to power the movement of air without human effort.
The ancient Greeks and Romans used to keep food cold using storage pits covered with snow. The problem was that if temperatures surrounding the storage pit were high, then the snow would melt and not keep food cool. Modern refrigerators are not affected by surrounding temperatures.
Modern HVAC Systems
Modern heating and cooling systems have learned from the shortfalls of previous systems. Here we will discuss a few advantages of modern HVAC systems.
Modern ventilation systems can improve air quality by constantly bringing in fresh outdoor air into a room. Filters are used to remove dust and dirt particles. This makes our air cleaner.
Modern HVAC systems also include both cooling and heating systems in one unit. This can save construction space and the use of power. For example, you would save space by not needing a separate fireplace to heat your home.
Modern cooling systems have precise temperature control. For example, a thermostat can control temperature. Switching the heating or cooling devices on or off can maintain proper temperatures.
HVAC(R) systems stand for
H - Heating Systems
V - Ventilation Systems
AC - Air Conditioning Systems
R - Refrigeration Systems
Modern advancements in HVAC(R) systems have allowed us to live an improved lifestyle.
Heating and AC systems help bring hot or cold air into the home depending on the time of year. Ventilation systems help to circulate the needed hot or cold air. Refrigeration systems help us store food for months without decay.
Question #1: HVAC(R) stands for
Heating, Vans, Air Conditioning, Refrigeration
Heating, Ventilation, All Cooling, Refrigeration
Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, Radio
Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, Refrigeration
Scroll down for the answer...
Answer: Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, Refrigeration
HVAC(R) stands for:
H - Heating Systems
V - Ventilation Systems
AC - Air Conditioning Systems
R - Refrigeration Systems
Question #2: Heating systems are used to provide cool air in our homes when we experience warm temperatures.
True
False
Scroll down for the answer...
Answer: False
Heating systems are used to provide warm air in our homes when we experience cold temperatures.
Question #3: What is an example of a ventilation system?
Air conditioners
Furnace
Fans
Heat pumps
Scroll down for the answer...
Answer: Fans
Fans are an example of a ventilation system. Furnace and heat pumps are an example of heating systems.
Question #4: Which of the following explains the function of air conditioning systems?
Air conditioning warms your home during the cold winters.
Air conditioning cools your home during the hot summers.
Air conditioning brings in a constant supply of fresh air.
Air conditioning circulates warm air.
Scroll down for the answer...
Answer: Air conditioning cools your home during the hot summers.
Air conditioning cools your home during the hot summers.
Question #5: Refrigeration is often used to keep foods or medicines from spoiling, because bacterial growth is slowed at lower temperatures.
True
False
Scroll down for the answer...
Answer: True
Refrigeration is often used to keep foods or medicines from spoiling.
This is because bacterial growth is slowed at lower temperatures.
Question #6: Which of the following statements is true?
Heating systems warm the air inside a room during the winter.
Ventilation systems help to store food, medicine and chemicals at cool temperatures.
Air conditioners bring in fresh oxygen for people to breathe.
Refrigerators remove unwanted smells in a room.
Scroll down for the answer...
Answer: Heating systems warm the air inside a room during the winter.
Heating systems are important because they warm the air inside a room during the winter season.
Question #7: Which of the following is an example of a previous HVAC(R) system?
People built houses with no windows to circulate air.
Humans made hand-operated fans to cool themselves.
Early Greeks stored their food in the ocean to cool beverages.
Early Romans used paper to cook food.
Scroll down for the answer...
Answer: Humans made hand-operated fans to cool themselves.
The Chinese made hand-operated fans to cool themselves. This was the beginning of our AC systems.
Question #8: What was a shortfall of previous refrigeration systems?
The storage pits were affected by the surrounding temperatures.
The storage pits were not affected by the surrounding temperatures.
The storage pits had too much salt.
The storage pits were too big.
Scroll down for the answer...
Answer: The storage pits were affected by the surrounding temperatures.
Previous refrigeration systems were affected by the surrounding temperatures.
The storage pits were covered in snow. If surrounding temperatures were high, it would cause the snow to melt and not keep food cool.
Question #9: What is an advantage of modern HVAC(R) systems?
We cannot control the temperature.
We need to use a lot of space and power.
We bring in the dirty outside air filled with dirt into our homes.
Filters are used to remove the dirt and dust to bring fresh air into our homes.
Scroll down for the answer...
Answer: Filters are used to remove the dirt and dust to bring fresh air into our homes.
An advantage of modern HVAC(R) systems is improved air quality. Filters remove dirt and dust from the outdoor air. This brings fresh air into our homes.