Introduction of RHVAC

RHVAC (pronounced either "R-H-V-A-C" or, occasionally, "R-H-VAK") is an initialism/acronym that stands for "reffigeration, heating, ventilation and air conditioning". RHVAC is sometimes referred to as "climate control" and is particularly important in the design of medium to large industrial and office buildings such as sky scrapers and in marine environments such as aquarims, where humidity and temperature must all be closely regulated whilst maintaining safe and healthy conditions within.

Refrigeration, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning is based on the basic principles of thermodynamics, heat transfer and fluid mechanics, and to inventions and discoveries made by Sadi Carnot, Michael Faraday, James Joule, William Rankine, Willis Carrier, and many others. The invention of the components of RHVAC systems goes hand-in-hand with the industrial revolution, and new methods of modernization, higher efficiency, and system control are constantly introduced by companies and inventors all over the world.

The three functions of heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning are closely interrelated. All seek to provide thermal comfort, acceptable indoor air quality, and reasonable installation, operation, and maintenance costs. RHVAC systems can provide ventilation, reduce air infiltration, and maintain pressure relationships between spaces. How air is delivered to, and removed from spaces is known as room air distribution.

In modern buildings the design, installation, and control systems of these functions are integrated into one or more RHVAC systems. For very small buildings, contractors normally "size" and select RHVAC systems and equipment. For larger buildings where required by law, "building services" designers and engineers, such as architectural, mechanical, or building services engineers analyze, design, and specify the HVAC systems, and specialty mechanical contractors build and commission them. In all buildings, building permits for, and code-compliance inspections of the installations are the norm.

The RHVAC industry is a worldwide enterprise, with career opportunities including operation and maintenance, system design and construction, equipment manufacturing and sales, and in education and research. The RHVAC industry had been historically regulated by the manufacturers of RHVAC equipment, but Regulating and Standards industries such as AMCA, SMACNA, ASHRAE and ACCA, have been established to support the industry and encourage high standards and achievement. Most recently, the ICC has been established to create international standards that many countries, including the US, Canada, the UK, Australia and many others have been adopting.