HVAC (Heating Ventilating and Air Conditioning) systems are anything to do with heating and cooling a space. Often these types of systems are called central heating or central air conditioning; they deliver the conditioned air throughout the building via a system of ducts. In years past an HVAC system was considered a luxury, today however they are commonplace.
HVAC in Chicago typically consists of the heating or AC unit, the network of ducting, return air vents and delivery vents. Air is pulled from the room through the return air vents; it is delivered back to the central unit. The delivery vents are connected to a different system of ducts; they deliver the heated or cooled air to the various rooms in the building. The temperature is maintained throughout the building using a thermostat.
The majority of HVAC in Chicago includes both a heating unit, the furnace, and an air conditioning unit. In certain parts of the country only one unit will be present, there is little need for a furnace in the desert of the southwestern US; conversely there is no need for air conditioning at high altitudes. In the past air conditioning, as it is only needed for a few months of the year in the Midwest was seen as a luxury, today most homes have a complete system, both heating and cooling.
The furnace side of HVAC systems uses a few different types of fuel; by far the most common is natural gas although LPG, fuel oil and electricity are also used. In many cases the type of fuel that is used is based on that which is available while in other cases the homeowner will opt for the fuel which is least expensive based on his or her area.
The air conditioning side of the system is always powered by electricity. Depending on the area, electric can be a very expensive power source.
HVAC units are rated using specific measurements, different units use different measurements. A furnace often is rated using its annual fuel utilization efficiency, a furnace that is rated 80 is quite efficient however there are furnaces that are rated 90 which indicates they are extremely efficient. Air conditioning uses a different rating; seasonal energy efficiency. The numbers used for SEER are different but nevertheless, the higher the rating the more efficient the unit. In the US all air conditioners must meet or exceed a SEER rating of 13.
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