What Is the Difference Between AC and HVAC?

Unless you’re an air conditioning professional, understanding AC lingo and how the components of your system works can be confusing. But as a homeowner, knowing the basics of air conditioning is important—considering your air conditioning system is one of the most complex parts of your home. That’s why we’re answering some of our most frequently asked questions from homeowners about their ACs, starting with the basics.

Take the terms “AC” and “HVAC” for example. They seem simple enough, but are they the same thing? What does HVAC even stand for? Read on to find out.

What Does HVAC Stand For?

You already know that AC is short for air conditioning, but you might not be as familiar with HVAC.

HVAC stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. Although they’re a different acronym, the two are often used interchangeably.

Finding The Right Air Conditioning System For Your Home

While this answer may be simple, acronyms aside, it’s important to know which air conditioning system is right for your home. No two homes are exactly the same, and a 4,000 square foot home will have different requirements than a 600 square foot apartment. Having a trustworthy HVAC technician on your side to guide you through the buying process and complete a quality installation is so important when it comes to the comfort of your home and how much it costs you each month on your utility bills.

There are lots of air conditioning systems to choose from, but these are the main options:

Central Air Conditioning Systems

This is the most common type of air conditioning system used by homeowners in Florida. Central air conditioning systems helps cool homes by using a split system, which includes an outdoor compressor unit and an indoor coil.

The compressor pumps refrigerant through the air conditioning system to remove heat and moisture from inside the home, and when the heat in the air reaches the coil it’s pumped outside.

Central air conditioning systems use air ducts to move warm and cool air throughout your home. Although these systems are one of the most expensive options, they are a solid investment for your home and ensure consistent comfort throughout the seasons.

Split Ductless Systems

There are two parts which make up a split ductless system – the indoor unit and the outdoor unit. These systems function similarly to a central air conditioning system, just without the series of ductwork. These systems have grown in popularity over the years and are appealing to homeowners since they offer efficient comfort and a sleek look without the installation of ductwork.

Window Unit Air Conditioners

Window unit air conditioners are perfect for small studio apartments or additions to your home that need AC. These boxed units sit in the window or in a fitted slot in an external wall. Although they can cool a room, they tend to be on the louder side. But at only a few hundred dollars, this choice is appealing for budget conscious homeowners.

Air Conditioning Services In Gainesville, Florida

At A+ Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, we are passionate about high-quality service and 100 percent customer satisfaction, and we don’t stop until both are achieved. If your AC is blowing warm air and you can’t resolve it on your own, please call us at (352) 444-7026 or reach out to us online today!