What is Heating and Cooling?

What is Heating and Cooling?

Heating and cooling is an important process for HVAC owners to understand. There are three fundamental features of any heating and cooling system: the source of hot or cold air, a distribution mechanism, and a way to control the system. In many homes, the distribution mechanisms and controls will be the same, but the heating and cooling sources will be different. The most common scenario involves using a thermostat to monitor the system and ductwork to distribute the air, which is heated by a furnace or cooled by an air conditioner. Furnaces run on gas, whereas air conditioners typically use electricity.

Alternatively, some systems use a heat pump—a single machine capable of both heating and cooling air. Heat pumps are electrically powered, and transfer heat from one area to another. In the summer, they pull heat from inside your home and move it outdoors, whereas in winter they pull heat from the air outside and move it into your home to keep you warm. Accurately identifying the source(s) of heating and cooling in your home will help you understand how to make the best use of your system, and find quality service for it at all times.

How to Ensure a Quality Heating and Cooling Experience

A quality heating and cooling experience comes down to two primary factors: whether your system provides adequate climate control, and whether it can continue to run efficiently over extended periods of time. While the first of these criteria can be measured subjectively according to your comfort, the second may require some legwork. One easy way to measure your air conditioner’s efficiency is by using a thermometer. After 15 minutes of running the unit, place a thermometer on the closest supply register to the cooling unit inside your home, and another on the return vent. 5 minutes later, check the temperature on each. If the air coming out is not between 14 and 20 degrees cooler than the air going in, your unit may be running with leaks or blockages. These problems can drive up your utility bills by making your unit use too much electricity, and can also result in damage to your system that can be costly to fix.

Why we Use Carrier Heating and Cooling Systems

Valley Comfort Heating and Air offers some of the best climate control technology available anywhere in the Santa Rosa and Napa Valley areas. A family owned and operated business, Valley Comfort Heating and Air focuses on integrity, reliability, and providing high quality service to every client. Installations, routine care, and 24-7 emergency service are all overseen by licensed and highly trained professional technicians, who also provide excellent customer service and offer flexible payment options. Valley Comfort Heating and Air is also an authorized dealer of Carrier products but is available to work on air conditioners of all kinds.