HVAC – or heating, ventilation and air conditioning – is an acronym describing the system that heats and cools your home. In the winter, you count on the furnace portion of the HVAC system, while in the summer the air conditioning side keeps you cool and comfortable.

While some homes are heated and cooled with boilers, radiant floor heating, heat pumps, ductless mini splits or window air conditioners, let’s explore the eight basic parts of a home HVAC system containing the traditional furnace and split-system air conditioner combination.