When it comes to heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), there are two main types of systems: HVAC and HVACR. So, what’s the difference? Let’s take a closer look.
What Is HVAC?
HVAC is short for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. As the name suggests, HVAC systems are responsible for heating, ventilating, and cooling buildings.
HVAC systems are made up of four main components:
- A furnace or heat pump to generate heat
- An air conditioner to remove heat
- A ventilation system to exchange indoor and outdoor air
- Ducts to distribute the conditioned air throughout the building
What Is HVACR?
HVACR is short for heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration. Like HVAC systems, HVACR systems are also responsible for heating, ventilating, and cooling buildings. However, HVACR systems also include a refrigeration component that helps to cool the air. HVACR systems also may contain air-filtration systems, which are in demand by hospitals, care centers, laboratories, and other buildings that require air quality control.
HVACR systems are made up of five main components:
- A furnace or heat pump to generate heat
- An air conditioner to remove heat
- A ventilation system to exchange indoor and outdoor air
- Ducts to distribute the conditioned air throughout the building
- A refrigeration system to cool the air
- An air-filtration system to control the quality of the air
Key Differences Between HVAC and HVACR
The key difference between HVAC and HVACR systems is that HVACR systems include a refrigeration component. This helps to make HVACR systems more efficient at cooling buildings than HVAC systems. Therefore, for residents looking for a system that can both heat and cool their building, an HVACR system is the way to go.
For entrepreneurs, the key differences between HVAC and HVACR can be summarized as follows:
- HVAC is short for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.
- HVACR is short for heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration.
- HVAC systems are responsible for heating, ventilating, and cooling buildings.
- HVACR systems are responsible for heating, ventilating, cooling, and refrigeration of buildings.
- VACR systems often supply air-filtration in addition to refrigeration.
- HVAC systems are made up of four main components: a furnace or heat pump, an air conditioner, a ventilation system, and ducts.
- HVACR systems are made up of five main components: a furnace or heat pump, an air conditioner, a ventilation system, ducts, and a refrigeration system.
- The key difference between HVAC and HVACR systems is that HVACR systems include a refrigeration component.
Conclusion
HVAC and HVACR systems are both responsible for heating, ventilating, and cooling buildings. However, the key difference between the two is that HVACR systems also include a refrigeration component and often supply air-filtration in addition. Entrepreneurs will want to assess HVAC and HVACR industry clients and choose the type of systems and services that will best fit with your company goals.