Many homeowners revel in the pride of knowing that they are do-it-yourselfers. There is no shortage of television programs today that educate and encourage homeowners to take control of costly home repairs and get to work. Some things are just better left to those who have the specialized know-how. One of these examples is the home heating and air conditioning system.
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, or HVAC, systems are composed of many moving and electrical parts and chemicals. The design of an HVAC system requires components of mechanical engineering and requires learning about them in a HVAC training program. Its very function is based on the principles of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer.
The Beginning of HVAC Systems
The invention of HVAC systems occurred during the Industrial Revolution. The three main functions of an HVAC system, heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning, are correlative. The purpose of a system is to provide thermal comfort and acceptable air quality in an indoor space. All this must be obtained within reasonable costs of installation, repair, and maintenance. Because the costs of installation and repair can be significant, this leads many an amateur to tackle the project himself.
In today's modern buildings, both residential and commercial, require a specialized skill set to determine the appropriate equipment to install. HVAC contractors, often with the help of engineers when dealing with very large spaces, have to carefully design the systems for optimum efficiency. In addition to having a system that heats, cools, and ventilates properly within a reasonable budget, the contractor must also have the required permits and comply with all building codes.
The Risks of Diving In Yourself
There are risks of electrical shock, a system that fails to be functional and/or cost-effective, and the handling of volatile CFCs such as Freon. A home's HVAC system usually accounts for a large portion of its energy bills. Creating a system to reach its full energy-efficiency potential is a great concern. Work that doesn't meet the standards of a professional will cost a homeowner a great deal of frustration, as well as dollars, in the future. As more and more average people begin to tackle home repairs themselves, we are earning a reputation as the "DIY generation." The savings on labor can be significant, but some jobs, like the installation and maintenance of HVAC systems, are better left to those who have completed HVAC programs. Meanwhile, the homeowners can sit back, keep cool, and let the professional HVAC technician take the heat.
