What if you didn’t really understand the most important part of your home?

HVAC and AC are how we keep comfortable across the different seasons. Unfortunately, most people don’t really know the differences between HVAC vs. AC.

What are those differences, and why are they important to know? Keep reading to discover the answers!

What’s the Main Difference Between HVAC vs. AC?

There are multiple differences between HVAC vs. AC, but it all boils down to one main difference. And that is the fact that AC refers only to “air conditioning,” whereas HVAC refers to “heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.”

Where it gets confusing is that many people (ranging from homeowners to HVAC professionals) will use the terms interchangeably. However, it’s important to note that an AC unit and an HVAC unit handle very different things. Let’s take a closer look at what those things are.

What Does An HVAC Unit Do?

Earlier, we covered the fact that HVAC stands for “heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.” But what does an HVAC unit actually do in your home?

By definition, an HVAC unit includes an air conditioning unit. This is part of why HVAC and AC are used interchangeably: all HVAC units have air conditioning components, but not all air conditioners have heating and ventilation components.

Many HVAC units include heat pumps. Despite “heat” being in the name, these pumps help with both heating and cooling.

To help with heating, some HVAC systems include a furnace. However, those are less likely here thanks to the warmth of the Sunshine State.

What Does An AC Unit Do?

Compared to the HVAC unit, the makeup of an AC unit is pretty simple. However, there are different kinds of AC units that your home may rely on, especially to beat back the summer heat.

Central air conditioning units are meant to cool down the entire home. In Florida, these AC units typically rely on both an outdoor compressor and an indoor coil. This split system helps to shunt the heat out of a home while using air ducts to blow cold air throughout the house.

Central air conditioning is a superior choice, but the systems are expensive and not always as effective as homeowners would like. For that reason, some people rely on window units that are designed to cool down a single room rather than an entire home.

Why Is It Important To Know the Difference?

Now you know the primary differences between HVAC vs. AC. However, that brings us to one final question: why is it important to understand these differences in the first place?

The knowledge may be important if you are deciding to renovate your home. Determining whether you need a full HVAC unit, a central air AC unit, or simply a window unit is a big decision!

It’s also important to understand your system if you need repairs. This knowledge can help you better tell the HVAC professionals what you need.

Here at Cliff’s, we specialize in keeping you comfortable all throughout the year. If you’re having any trouble with your own AC or HVAC unit, simply contact us today!