What does “HVAC” Mean?

This post defines the meaning of the term “HVAC” which stands for: Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning, and is pronounced: “H” “VAC.”

H-V-A-C is broken down, as follows…

Heating

Gravity Hot Water (GHW) – Rare

Forced Hot Water (FHW)

Gravity Hot Air (GHA) (no fan/blower) – Rare

Forced Hot Air (FHA) (with fan/blower)

Steam

Heat-Generating Equipment (equipment that converts fuel/energy to heat)

Furnaces

Space Heaters

Boilers

Water Heaters

Heat Pumps

Resistive Heaters

Fireplaces

Stoves

The Sun – Passive Solar – Glass Thermal Units

Terminal Units (equipment that emits heat that is generated by types of heating systems described above)

Steel & Cast Iron Radiators

Baseboard Convectors – Copper Fin Tube

Baseboard Convectors (Radiant) – Cast Iron

Panel Radiators (Convectors) – Steel

Fan Convectors (Hot water coil & Fan)

Air Handlers (Hot water coil and blower)

Radiant Panels (floor; ceiling; wall)

Burners (associated with heating)

Rotary-Type – (rare)

Gun-Type

Atmospheric-Type

Pot-Type (rare)

Electric Resistive

Fuels (associated with heating)

#2 Fuel Oil

#6 Bunker Fuel

Waste Oils (typically, automotive and cooking oil)

Kerosene

Propane (LPG)

Natural Gas (NG)

Butane

Methane (fossil fuel-based and “other”)

Chord Wood

Wood Pellets

Bio Fuel (manufactured and derived from plants)

Coal

Electricity

Here in New Hampshire, every building – intended to be occupied by humans in winter – has some type of heating system, but not all are “central heat” systems.

If/when you have a heating “emergency,” it will be helpful when you call an HVAC contractor/service company to explain to them:

1. What type of heating system you have.

2. What type of fuel your heating system utilizes.

3. What the nature of your heating service issue is.

Ventilating

Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRV)

Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERV)

Direct Air Replacement (such as a “whole-house exhaust fan)

Ventilating systems are typically controlled automatically by way of a Carbon Dioxide (C02) activated device similar to a thermostat, or a Dehumidistat activated by a Relative Humidity (FH) sensing device.

Air Conditioning

Air Conditioning Systems Types Include:

1. Central AC

2. Automotive AC

3. Ductless – “Mini Split” AC and Heat Pumps

4. Swamp Coolers (in dry climates) Evaporative Cooling

Refrigerating (R)

Often you will see a variation of the HVAC acronym: HVACR. Refrigerating typically refers to Commercial Refrigeration in stores and restaurants.

1. Reach-ins

2. Walk-ins

3. Sandwich Salad Units

4. Beverage Cases

5. Chest Freezers

Those are the basic point-of-use equipment types that are often seen in all types of stores – convenience stores, supermarkets, general stores, etc. – and restaurants. Other systems are used in food/beverage manufacturing and scientific applications.

Indoor Climate Control

Indoor Climate Control (ICC) refers to all equipment and systems that affect the Temperature; Air Quality; and Humidity of a space, and includes “HVAC” systems, as previously described. HVAC and ICC are often grouped together under the heading, “Mechanical Contracting.”  Mechanical Systems also include Fuel Tanks & Piping; Ducting; Fuel Venting; Kitchen Exhaust & Make-up Air (MUA); Combustion Air Supply (CAS); Snow- & Ice-Melting Systems; Pool Heating and Potable Water Heating… and this list is very abbreviated!

No wonder building owners are generally ill-informed about the meaning of HVAC; I can’t even list everything here, and I have 45 years in the trade! But that should give you a basic understanding of the acronym: HVAC.