What’s the Difference Between HVAC and an AC Unit?

How to Differentiate These Two Systems from Your Local St. Louis Heating and Air Company

As the leading company in St. Louis for heating and air conditioning service, installation, and repair, we get all sorts of questions from customers. One of the questions that we get most frequently is, “What’s the difference between an HVAC and an AC unit?”

Many people think that HVAC and AC units are one in the same, which is not the case. To break this down simply, we will define what an AC unit is, what an HVAC unit is, and then we will highlight what differentiates the two.

Defining Residential Air Conditioning Units

Air conditioning (AC, for short) is the system responsible for keeping your home comfortable and cool. Some people think that residential air conditioning units can make the air cooler or hotter, which is actually not the case. Air conditioning units can only cool down air.

Since residences and commercial buildings all come in different shapes and sizes, air conditioners are offered in several different varieties. The most popular types of AC units include:

• Central air conditioners
• Smart air conditioners
• Geothermal air conditioning systems
• Floor mounted air conditioners
• Ductless mini-split
• Widow air conditioners
• Hybrid/dual fuel air conditioners
• Portable air conditioners

Remember, if you ever need repair, installation, or service for air conditioning in St. Louis, you can always count on the team at Meyer Heating & Air for assistance. Contact us today for commercial or residential air conditioning service.

Defining an HVAC Unit

Knowing what an HVAC unit does is easy if you know what the four letters stand for. In order, the letters of the acronym represent Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning. That means the unit is responsible for the heating and air conditioning elements in addition to the ventilation part which allows moisture to be pushed out of your building or residence. FYI: moisture build-up can lead to mold, mildew, structural damage, and other harmful effects.

A standard HVAC unit is composed of four main elements: the furnace, the air conditioning unit, air ducts, and ventilation. Some modern HVAC units are so advanced they can even sense changes in weather and/or temperature and make adjustments without any human input.

The most popular types of HVAC units being used in commercial buildings today include:

• Centralized
• Decentralized
• Split systems
• Hybrid split systems
• Duct free
• Packaged heating and air

For St. Louis heating and air service, repair, or installation of HVAC units, contact the team at Meyer Heating & Air.

The Differences Between HVAC Units and Air Conditioning Units

As you’ve probably gathered by now, there are a few key differences between HVAC units and air conditioning units. Most notably, HVAC units do far more than air conditioning units in terms of heating and cooling your home, expelling moisture from the system, and trafficking air through the air ducts.

When you think of HVAC, remember that it has multiple responsibilities whereas air conditioning units only have the one – keeping your home cool.

St. Louis Heating and Air Repair and Service is Our Specialty! Contact the Team at Meyer Heating & Air

Now that we’ve officially entered the peak of the summer where heat and humidity are at their height, it’s all the more important to be mindful of the condition of your commercial and residential air conditioning units and HVAC units. Just like with any complex piece of equipment, both HVAC units and air conditioning units require routine maintenance from time to time.

Trust us on this, you don’t want to have an HVAC or air conditioning unit malfunction in the middle of summer. Be proactive and contact the team at Meyer Heating & Air for HVAC and air conditioning maintenance so that we can verify your equipment is running optimally.

Need a brand-new HVAC or air conditioning unit installed in a commercial or residential property? Meyer Heating & Air is here to help. Based upon the layout and square footage of the property, our team can make a professional recommendation for your new HVAC or air conditioning unit.

For instance, we can install a Ruud AC unit that will keep your home cool for years. Our team will be happy to give you an itemized quote that breaks down all the costs associated with a new air conditioning and HVAC installation.

Call us at (314) 845-1929 or contact us online. We have 24/7 emergency service, so never hesitate to call Meyer Heating & Air – day or night!