Local governments use HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) codes and regulations to enforce HVAC safety. The codes prescribe the minimum specifications your HVAC must meet, but you can exceed those specifications. Below are the common HVAC issues that many of these codes control.

System Sizing

System sizing determines whether it can meet a property's heating, ventilation, and cooling requirements. Sizing refers to the system's heating and cooling output in this context. The exact sizing depends on multiple factors, such as the local weather and climate, the home's size, and building materials.

HVAC codes typically prescribe the HVAC sizes for different house sizes. You must meet or exceed the minimum requirements to comply with the codes. The exact sizing depends on other factors besides the house size. For example, the building materials, ceiling height, and the number of rooms also matter.

Duct Design and Sizing

HVAC systems that circulate air, such as gas furnaces, rely on duct systems to distribute air to different house parts. The duct size and design determine how much air it carries to and from specific parts of the house.

Even a properly sized HVAC might not make your home comfortable if the duct cannot supply adequate air quantity. Thus, HVAC systems also specify the minimum duct size and design.

Efficiency

HVAC efficiency refers to how much of the energy it consumes it uses to heat or cool the house. HVAC efficiency is critical since the system loses some of the energy it consumes through, say, friction. Unfortunately, energy is a scarce resource, and people must conserve it. High-efficiency HVACs can cool or heat your house with less energy than low-efficiency HVACs.

The seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) is the perimeter the HVAC industry uses to indicate HVAC efficiencies. SEER describes an HVAC system's how much of the energy an HVAC system consumes it uses to heat or cool the house within a given year. HVAC codes prescribe minimum SEERs as an energy conservation measure.

Ventilation

Ventilation is an often overlooked but critical function of HVAC systems. Proper ventilation is necessary to ensure exhaust airflows safely out of the house and adequate fresh air flow in. Inadequate ventilation can easily lead to poor health. For that reason, HVAC codes usually mention ventilation requirements too.

Professional HVAC contractors keep abreast of these codes and regulations. Ensure a professional contractor handles all your HVAC needs, and you won't have to worry about being code compliant. For more information, contact a company like Trane South.