HVAC Fundamentals3 / 13
Key Components & Operation
Fans, coils, dampers, valves, and controls — how they work together.
10 min read · Jacob Willis, Net Zero Lead · Last reviewed July 2026
Every HVAC system is built from the same basic components. Understanding what each does, and where it wastes energy, gives you the diagnostic tools to walk into any plant room and know what you're looking at.
In this lesson
- 01The central plant
- 02Distribution
- 03Terminal units (zone delivery)
- 04Controls: the beating heart
- 05Putting it together: a diagram
- 06Sources and further reading