Most homes in Indianapolis were built before the 1990s, meaning many might still be outfitted with old and outdated HVAC systems. Homeowners need to know their HVAC system parts so they can make the appropriate upgrades to improve their system. With that in mind, the Kight’s Quality Air team is here to answer the question: “What are the components of an HVAC system?” and provide a general HVAC system overview.
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Air Handler
The air handler is one of your core HVAC system components and is the system responsible for circulating air through your home. Most air handlers appear as large, rectangular metal boxes at the base of the unit. The air handler also contains your HVAC filters, which trap debris to improve indoor air quality and reduce airborne pathogen transmission. Lastly, the air handler houses other HVAC equipment, such as the system’s blower motor and fan.
Blower Motor
The blower motor is the main motor that controls your HVAC fan. In other words, without a blower motor, your air handler couldn’t distribute air through your home. One of the most common signs of a broken blower motor is if your air conditioner or furnace has no airflow. Blower motors are arguably the core piece of your HVAC, so if your blower motor is broken, you won’t get much use out of your unit.
Heating Element
If you have an electric heater, then it produces heat by blowing air over a heating element. Heating elements are made from conductive metals like nickel and iron. If the heating element breaks, your furnace won’t be able to create hot air. A common sign of a malfunctioning heating element is inconsistent heating or lukewarm heating. A broken heating element can also cause your electrical bills to spike.
Gas Burner
If you have a gas-powered heater, your furnace uses a gas burner and ignition unit to create heat. The ignition unit creates a spark that ignites natural gas from the burner. The pilot light generally stays on, so the heater can burn gas whenever it needs to. A common sign of a broken gas burner is a smell of gas or soot on the underside of your furnace unit. Damaged burners can also produce carbon monoxide, which is a health hazard.
Evaporator & Condenser Coils
All air conditioning systems contain evaporator and condenser coils that are responsible for heat transfer. The air handler takes in air, and pressurized coolant in the evaporator coil removes heat, producing cold air. The heated coolant fluid then moves to the condenser coil, which absorbs the remaining heat and expels it outside your home. Without coils, your HVAC couldn’t produce cold air or would overheat from being unable to expel excess heat.
Thermostat
The thermostat is the main unit that controls your HVAC system and tells it when to turn on and off. In that sense, you can think of the thermostat as the ‘brain’ of your HVAC. The thermostat senses the ambient temperature and signals your HVAC to turn on or off, depending on the temperature settings.
Programmable thermostats can store routines and adjust settings automatically based on environmental conditions, while smart thermostats offer even more flexibility. They can be controlled with a smartphone and often have AI-assisted systems to track, compare, and optimize HVAC performance. For installation or to find the best options for your home, consult our HVAC professionals—they’re here to guide you in choosing and setting up the ideal thermostat for seamless comfort and efficiency.
Ducts
Air ducts feed through your home and transport heated or cooled air to the various rooms of your house. In that sense, you can liken air ducts to your HVAC’s circulatory system. There is typically a main duct that connects to your air handler that then branches off into smaller ducts throughout the home.
Not all HVAC systems utilize ductwork. For example, mini-split systems use small vents and runs of ducts instead of full-house ductwork. Holes and cracks in ductwork are a major source of energy leakage, so homeowners need regular inspections to stay on top of damages.
Quality HVAC Services in Indianapolis and the Surrounding Areas
Read our blog to learn more about the common signs you need AC repair or need to replace HVAC unit parts. If you have more questions like “What are the components of an HVAC system?” or want to learn more about various HVAC system elements, contact Kight’s Quality Air online or give us a call today at 317-752-6176 to schedule an appointment with our HVAC experts!