HVAC is an acronym for Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning, and this all-important system is what keeps our homes and businesses comfortable and livable year-round. But what exactly is the official business definition of HVAC? To answer this question, let’s go back to the basics: HVAC is the technology that enables us to balance air temperature, humidity, air movement, ventilation and air filtration within a building or space. This system involves heating or cooling relative air inside a structure, as well as controlling both air exchange rates and which particles are allowed in. The idea behind HVAC controls is to manage indoor environmental quality while keeping energy costs low — so it’s important to understand how the system works and what standard practices should be implemented when using it.