Home
/

Understanding HVAC Systems

Heating and cooling systems play a crucial role in keeping homes and businesses comfortable year-round Yet, for many homeowners, the inner workings of an HVAC system remain a mystery until something goes wrong At Kelley & Dawson, we believe knowledge is power

When you understand how your HVAC system works, you’re better equipped to maintain it, recognize problems early, and make informed decisions about repair or replacement.

What Does HVAC Mean?

The term HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning These three components work together to provide indoor comfort by regulating temperature, controlling humidity, and maintaining healthy air quality.

  • Heating: Furnaces, heat pumps, and boilers generate warmth for colder months.

  • Ventilation: Ductwork and fans circulate air throughout your home, ensuring fresh airflow and removing stale or polluted air.

  • Air Conditioning: Central AC units and ductless systems cool your home by removing heat and moisture from the air.

When functioning properly, an HVAC system creates a balanced indoor environment that keeps you comfortable no matter the season.

The Main Components of an HVAC System

/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />/>/>/>/>/>class="wf-section-separator" />id="">While every home’s setup may vary, most HVAC systems include:

  • Thermostat – The control center that sets and regulates indoor temperatures.

  • Furnace or Heat Pump – Provides warmth in winter.

  • Air Conditioner or Cooling Unit – Removes heat and humidity in summer.

  • Ductwork – Channels conditioned air throughout the home.

  • Air Filters – Trap dust, dirt, and allergens before they circulate.

  • Blower Motor & Fans – Push air through ducts for consistent airflow.

  • Vents & Registers – Deliver air into each room.

Understanding these components helps homeowners grasp why regular maintenance is so important.

Why HVAC Maintenance Matters

Your HVAC system runs almost every day of the year, and like any machine, it needs proper care Preventative maintenance:

  • Increases efficiency and lowers energy bills

  • Reduces wear and tear on equipment

  • Improves indoor air quality

  • Extends the system’s lifespan

  • Helps prevent costly, unexpected breakdowns

At Kelley

Reviews

hear what our satisfied clients have to say

“We've been doing business with Kelly and Dawson Service for a long time, and they’ve always been fantastic to work with. Most recently, our AC went out on a Sunday right when we needed it most. We called Kelly and Dawson, and within just 30 minutes, their technician Caleb showed up at our door. He was friendly, knowledgeable, and had the issue diagnosed and fixed within an hour.

We couldn’t have asked for better service, especially on a weekend. Highly recommend this company and their awesome technicians. Whether it's routine maintenance or an emergency repair, they’ve always come through for us.”
Jacob S
Our AC went out late on a Friday night. Kelly & Dawson were there first thing Saturday morning. The gentlemen was polite, very experienced, and had us back up and running in 30 minutes. The service fee was reasonable as well. I would recommend them in a heartbeat!
Captain M
They checked my furnace and got it all ready for winter. Very courteous and professional. An excellent company with outstanding customer service. I highly recommend them for all your heating & air needs.
Stacy S
This company is so great. Bought a new central ac unit a year ago. Today was the first maintenance/check up day and Daniel came out. From the beginning of buy the unit, the communication with everyone at Kelley and Dawson has been great right up to this morning when Daniel checked and cleaned the ac. Efficient, friendly....this company reminds me of living in small town with wonderful people when you need service.
Susan L
We've been using Kelley & Dawson Service for 5 years now and they've been wonderful every single time. Caleb is super kind, polite, and really professional. They always take great care of us – highly recommend!
Christina L
We’ve used them in the past for a new furnace and have not had any issues to date We called them out this past Saturday when our AC went out. The initial caller let me know a technician would be calling me. When Daniel called he let me know he had a couple clients before me and then would be out. He called again to let me know he was on his way. Daniel was respectful and found the problem quickly. Very affordable for an emergency call, part and labor. Thank you for the great communication and prompt service!
Anna H
john’s journey with us
1:34 min
financing Available

Financing with
Wells Fargo

Buy today, pay over time with the Wells Fargo Home Projects Credit Card¹, issued with approved credit by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., an Equal Housing Lender. With approved credit from Wells Fargo, you’ll enjoy:

Today. Convenient monthly payments available.²
Flexible financing options
Easy online account management

Plus, by taking advantage of financing, you won’t use up your existing funding sources, like a home equity line of credit, other credit card or bank account.  They’ll still be available when you need them.
Please contact us to find out which financing options are available to you, or to learn about special financing promotions.

¹ Subject to credit approval. Call for details.
² The [Card Name] credit card is issued with approved credit by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Ask for details.

Short Heading Goes Here

Sed iaculis aenean sit sed risus arcu vitae integer elit.
5 min read

Fix Common Furnace Problems: Troubleshooting Tips

Tips
5 min read

Understanding HVAC Systems

Tips
5 min read

Why Regular HVAC Maintenance Matters