HVAC Parts & Accessories Basics

Learn HVAC parts & accessories basics to properly outfit a unit

By Jess Buskirk

It's important to keep in mind certain HVAC parts & accessories basics when installing an HVAC unit. Without the proper parts, an HVAC unit won't function efficiently and can cost your company hundreds of dollars in wasted energy.

HVAC is an acronym for heating, ventilation and air conditioning. Although a heater serves the opposite purpose of an air conditioner, they use several of the same methods for distributing air, including the same basic parts and accessories. When learning the basics of HVAC parts & accessories, keep the following in mind:

1. Know that ducts and vents are the nuts and bolts of an HVAC system.

2. Consider air filters to be inexpensive HVAC parts that greatly improve air quality.

3. Use a thermostat to adjust the temperature of air distributed through the building and to save energy costs.

Know that ducts are important HVAC accessories

HVAC ductwork is available in both rectangular and circular ducts. The ducts typically run through a building's attic, crawlspaces and garage. Newer construction sometimes has an air-sealed shell called the conditioning space where HVAC equipment can be. A heating or air conditioning unit is useless without ducts to carry the air throughout the building.
Try: Read more about rectangular and circular HVAC ducts at The Engineering ToolBox. Use the table to compare the amount of air loss due to friction in various sizes of ducts. To learn more about HVAC ducts in confined spaces, visit ToolBase Services.

Include air filters in an HVAC parts supply

Air filters trap dust and other irritating particles in the air that has traveled through the ductwork before the air is released into a room. Typical HVAC filters include electrostatic filters, fiberglass filters and polyester filter media pads. HVAC accessory manufacturers often offer HEPA filters that remove mold, dust mites, pollen and other allergens from the air.
Try: Read more about air filters and how they work at Engineers Edge. To see photographs and specifications of different types of air filters, visit Troy Filters.

Learn the different types of thermostats HVAC parts suppliers offer

Thermostats provide control over the HVAC unit. A thermostat can be either programmable or manual. Programmable thermostats allow the user to designate specific times of the day when the air will be either warmer or cooler. A manual thermostat must be set every time customers want a temperature change. Programmable thermostats are more environmentally friendly because they typically allow the HVAC unit to consume less energy.
Try: Learn more about programmable thermostats at Energy Star. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the links to read more about choosing the right programmable thermostat, having a thermostat properly installed, properly set up and use a programmable thermostat and saving money with a manual thermostat. Read about various types of thermostats and how they function at the U.S. Department of Energy website.

Consider the visual appeal of decorative vents offered by HVAC parts distributors

HVAC vents, also called registers, distribute the air into a room after it's traveled through the ductwork and air filter. Because you see these vents, they are aesthetically pleasing. Some vents, called gooseneck vents, are for ventilating a building and are outside. While gooseneck vents have an industrial look, indoor registers are often exquisitely decorative and HVAC parts manufacturers offer a selection of different styles.
Try: To learn how to keep HVAC vents operating quietly, visit HGTVpro.com. To see an example of a goose neck vent, visit bobvila.com. Find different styles of decorative vents at Décor Grates. Click on the various styles to see more examples.

You can purchase HVAC parts and accessories through a local dealer, but there is also an excellent selection of HVAC parts online.