Is There Any Difference Between HVAC Work and Refrigeration?

Considering that your refrigerator cools things down and uses a compressor just like an air conditioner would, you might be tempted to think that both refrigeration and HVAC work require the same skill set. The fields certainly are related, and advances in refrigeration technology usually make AC units much more efficient. Some organizations have leveraged these parallel qualities to offer services to users of both types of technology.

Similarities Between HVAC and Refrigeration Work

If you’ve ever taken a look at a commercial or industrial building in the Greater Grove City area, then there’s a good chance that you’ve seen relatively larger compressor boxes on the side of it. Some of these are tied directly into a larger refrigeration system and resemble AC units because the basic principles that control each are the same. Conventional residential refrigerators use air compressors to deposit waste heat and drop temperatures as well, which is why the engineering teams who design all of this equipment tend to share personnel. Technicians who work on one class of equipment can generally train to work with several different types if they’re given a sufficient amount of time to do so.

Where the Similarities With Refrigeration End

From a purely mechanical standpoint, the sheer act of removing heat from a given area is based on the same exact principle irrespective of the end goal. If you were to take apart an AC unit and a refrigerator, then you’d find that the parts are very close internally. The real differences are in terms of scope and scale. Industrial-sized refrigeration equipment generally has much bigger components inside of it because it’s designed for dealing with larger amounts of waste heat.

Getting Help With Refrigeration or AC Equipment

Whether you’re having trouble with a simple residential AC unit or a massive commercial HVAC project, our NATE-certified technicians at TechnoAir Heating, Cooling and Refrigeration have the skills for the job. We offer heating and AC repair, installation, and maintenance as well as indoor air quality and refrigeration services. We are proud to have served the Grove City area since 1996, and we maintain a focus on excellent customer service no matter how large or small your project is. Contact us today to learn more!