What is the Difference Between an A/C and HVAC?- What Both Those Terms Mean in the Air Conditioning Industry

by | Jan 6, 2025 | HVAC

SUMMARY

What is the difference between an air conditioner and an HVAC? Are they both words that mean the same thing? What makes them both different from each other? In this article, you will learn what makes each unit distinct and feel confident using both names and how they work so you can effectively communicate with your HVAC or A/C technician. Read on to learn more.

How Does an A/C Work?

An A/C or ‘air conditioner’ has one primary purpose: to control the temperature, humidity, and air quality in an enclosed space. It works by removing heat from the indoor air and transferring it outside. By removing the heat, it cools the air in the indoor space. Its primary purpose is to cool the air inside your house. An A/C comprises four main parts: the evaporator coil, compressor, condenser coil, and expansion valves. Each of these plays plays an important role in the cooling cycle. The warm air from inside the house will be drawn into the A/C and blown over the cold evaporator coil. The refrigerant in the coil will absorb heat from the air and cause it to evaporate from liquid to gas. Next, the gas will travel into the compressor, increasing the temperature and pressure to a smaller volume. The pressurized gas will then move to the condenser coil, releasing the heat outdoors. Lastly, the refrigerant will condense back into a liquid as it cools down, then go into the expansion valve, where it will enter the evaporator coil again. This process will repeat until the ideal room temperature is met. The process is fairly simple and effective. How does it compare to an HVAC?
A man inspecting an air conditioning unit

How Does an HVAC Work?

Here is an interesting twist. An HVAC is not like an air conditioner; it is a term that defines a system. HVAC stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. Unlike an air conditioner, it is composed of different components that all work together. An HVAC system can consist of all or some of these elements. Some key components of HVAC systems can be a thermostat, furnace, air conditioner, evaporator coil, heat exchanger, ductwork, fans, and refrigerant lines. All of these elements can contribute to an HVAC system, which involves heating, cooling, and ventilation, hence its acronym. Now you may be wondering, some of the key components that were listed are things inside of an air conditioner, so is an A/C an HVAC? Our next section will help clarify things if you are confused.
A man inspecting a ventilation tube.

How Does an A/C Apply to HVAC?

An A/C and HVAC are closely related concepts, but they serve different roles within climate control systems. An A/C is part of an HVAC. An HVAC is the entire system. So, while every HVAC system includes air conditioning as its main component, not all air conditioning systems are part of an HVAC setup. This is because an HVAC system doesn’t always have air conditioning as part of its setup, where air conditioning will always apply to HVACs. Both the HVAC system and the air conditioning process have a lot in common. For example, both provide a comfortable indoor environment, involve similar components like evaporator coils, compressors, and ductword, and both can be designed for energy efficiency. While air conditioning is a vital part of HVAC systems focused on cooling indoor spaces, HVAC encompasses a broader range of functions, including heating and ventilation. Understanding these distinctions helps in selecting the right system for specific climate control needs in residential or commercial settings.
A man holding aluminum duct pipe

Conclusion

Hopefully, this article helped you distinguish the difference between the two terms and helped provide knowledge on how they work together. This information can help you know which system to focus on to meet your needs and how to relay it to your HVAC or A/C Technician properly. If you are interested in HVAC installation, heating, ventilation, or air conditioning installation, Seattle Heating and Cooling can help you. Your comfort is our priority; we ensure we meet your needs and provide quality service. You can call us or contact us today for more information.

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