Complete Guide to HVAC: What It Means and How to Choose the Right System for Your Home

June 17, 2022

Your HVAC system is an important utility. We count on our heating cooling to keep our homes comfortable all year-round. It can also be a significant portion of your monthly energy bills. Taking time to find out more about your HVAC system offers a lot of benefits. You can improve its efficiency and choose the right replacement equipment. We’ll share the key facts about the most common HVAC systems. After, we’ll go over how to choose the best HVAC system in Stuart.

What Is HVAC?

HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning. This utility system keeps indoor temperatures comfortable. It also takes care of air quality through filtration and humidity control equipment. As a group, these systems collaborate to keep our homes cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Your average HVAC system will have three primary components: heating, cooling and ventilation. Some places won’t always have both heating and cooling, like temperate climates or in older homes.

Most HVAC systems function by circulating air in and out of your home. Depending on the type of system, heat might be introduced or extracted to adjust the indoor temperature. Air ducts can carry the air to each room of the house, but they’re not always required. Lots of HVAC accessories including air filtration equipment are installed inside the ductwork for maximum efficiency.

There Are Different Types of HVAC Systems

HVAC technology has come a long way in terms of overall design and efficiency. Homeowners have more options than ever when choosing an HVAC system. There are multiple different styles, with one or more being the best combination for your comfort needs. These range from popular air conditioners and furnaces to alternatives like the heat pump.

Air Conditioners

An air conditioner is an innovative piece of technology that pulls heat out of the air with a special substance called refrigerant or coolant. Extra heat and moisture are pumped out of the air and ventilated outdoors. This is highly efficient for keeping cool during the hot summer months.

Furnaces

The dependable central furnace has been the most prominent way to heat your home for many years. It commonly runs on natural gas or oil, combusting the fuel to generate heat. This heat warms the air that circulates through your home while vapors are properly ventilated away. Furnaces use a pilot light or electronic hot surface ignition system to begin a heating cycle.

Mini-Splits

Some HVAC systems don’t need central ductwork to deliver heating and cooling. A ductless mini-split system is one such type of equipment. An indoor and outdoor unit are instead linked by copper piping that delivers climate control. You can set up multiple indoor units to heat or cool your home. Some models offer air conditioning while some can handle both heating and cooling.

Heat Pumps

Heat pumps are an increasingly popular alternative for heating and cooling your home. Compared with central furnaces and air conditioners, heat pumps don’t produce their own source of climate control. Instead, they pump heat in or out of your home with air circulation. Reduced energy use can help you save on your monthly bill. Heat pumps are perfect for milder climates and can even be installed along with other equipment.

Garage Heaters

This compact kind of HVAC system is used to keep garages warm in the colder months. Many garages are unfinished, so they can be rather chilly to spend time in. Garage heaters use fuel like electricity, natural gas or propane to generate heat. This heat is dispersed with power fans. The garage heaters themselves are often configured to be portable. They can be carried around the garage freely or fitted to the wall. Some models are even hung from the ceiling.

How Do I Pick an HVAC System?

When deciding on a new HVAC system, there are a few things to think about. You want to find a balance between efficiency and your distinct comfort preferences. You can narrow down available options with the following tips:

Choose the right size for your home: Bigger isn’t always better. In fact, a furnace that’s too powerful for your home could end up costing you in higher energy bills. New HVAC systems should be the appropriate size for peak effectiveness.

Focus on energy efficiency for long-term savings: Higher energy efficiency is one of the easiest ways to earn back more savings. Energy-efficient equipment puts less demand on critical components and doesn’t need to work as long for climate control. Seek out models marked with the ENERGY STAR® rating for especially efficient models.

Explore financing options and special offers: Many local service companies extend special financing for new installation. You might receive special offers for the system itself as well as other advantages like discounts on preventive maintenance plans.

Entrust new installation to qualified professionals: A new HVAC system is a terrific investment. You can get the most out of a new air conditioner or heat pump with experienced technicians. They complete air conditioning installation quickly and efficiently, ensuring you receive maximum benefit from the start.

Your local expert technicians can review your home and suggest the ideal HVAC system for you. If you’d like to begin the process, give Breathe Healthier Air a call at 772-353-4633 today.