Common HVAC Components Found In Commercial Buildings

Do you know the common HVAC components found in commercial buildings? You probably know that you have an HVAC system for your facility, but you may not know what all of the components do. Here is a list of the common HVAC components found in commercial buildings and how they work together to keep your building at its ideal temperature.

• Air conditioner – is designed to dehumidify and remove heat from the area. The cooling is done using a simple refrigeration cycle.
• Condenser – is the component of the basic refrigeration cycle that removes heat from the system. It is the hot side of the air conditioner. Condensers are heat exchangers that can transfer heat and carry it away.
• Air handler – is used to condition or circulate the air as part of the HVAC system. An air handler usually contains a blower, heating or cooling elements, filter racks or chambers, sound attenuators, and dampers. Air handlers usually connect to ductwork that distribute the conditioned air through the building and return it to the air handler.
• Terminal units – also called air handlers may only include an air filter, coil and blower. These smaller units are also called blower coils or fan coil units. A larger air handler that conditions 100 percent outside air, and no circulated air, is known as a make-up air unit (MAU). An air handler designed for outdoor use, typically on roofs, is called a rooftop unit (RTU).
• Chiller – removes heat from a liquid through a vapor-compression or absorption refrigeration cycle. This cooled liquid flows through pipes in buildings and passes through coils in air handlers, fan-coil units, or other systems, cooling and usually dehumidifying the air in the building. There are two types of chillers – air-cooled or water-cooled. Air-cooled chillers are usually outside and consist of condenser coils cooled by fan-driven air. Water-cooled chillers are inside a building and heat from these chillers is carried by re-circulating water to a heat sink as an outdoor cooling tower.

Now that you know the difference between these HVAC components, when was the last time you had them tuned-up? Be sure to perform regular maintenance by calling LHT Cooling, Heating & Refrigeration, Inc. and keep them running in tip-top shape!