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 essential utility. We depend on our heating cooling to keep our homes comfortable all year-round. It can also be a significant portion of your monthly energy bills. Spending time to understand more about your HVAC system includes a lot of benefits. You can enhance its efficiency and determine the right replacement equipment. We’ll share the key details about the most popular HVAC systems. After, we’ll go over how to choose the best HVAC system in East Bernard.

What Is HVAC?

HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning. This utility system keeps indoor temperatures comfortable. It also improves air quality through filtration and humidity control equipment. Collectively, these systems collaborate to keep our homes cool in the summer and cozy in the winter. Your average HVAC system will have three principal 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. Based on the type of system, heat might be added or taken away to adjust the indoor temperature. Air ducts can bring the air to every room of the house, but they’re not always required. Lots of HVAC accessories such as air filtration equipment are fitted inside the ductwork for the highest possible efficiency.

There Are Different Types of HVAC Systems

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

Air Conditioners

An air conditioner is a groundbreaking piece of technology that draws heat out of the air with a special substance called refrigerant or coolant. Unwanted heat and moisture are pumped out of the air and ventilated outdoors. This is highly efficient for keeping cool throughout the hot summer months.

Furnaces

The dependable central furnace has been the most prominent way to warm your home for many years. It commonly runs on natural gas or oil, combusting the fuel to produce heat. This heat warms the air that circulates through your home while vapors are properly ventilated outside. 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 connected by copper piping that delivers climate control. You can install 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 choice for heating and cooling your home. In contrast to central furnaces and air conditioners, heat pumps don’t create their own source of climate control. Instead, they pump heat in or out of your home using air circulation. Lower energy use can help you save on your monthly bill. Heat pumps are best suited for milder climates and can even be installed alongside 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 particularly 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 designed to be portable. They can be carried around the garage freely or fastened to the wall. Some models are even mounted to the ceiling.

How Do I Select an HVAC System?

When deciding on a new HVAC system, there are a few things to consider. You should find a balance between efficiency and your unique comfort preferences. You can narrow down possible options with the following tips:

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

Prioritize energy efficiency for long-term savings: High energy efficiency is one of the best 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. Try to find models marked with the ENERGY STAR® rating for particularly efficient models.

Explore financing options and special offers: Many local service companies promote special financing for new installation. You could receive special offers for the system itself as well as other benefits such as discounts on preventive maintenance plans.

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

Your local expert technicians can evaluate your home and suggest the perfect HVAC system for you. If you’d like to begin the process, give E.B. Air, LLC a call at 979-335-4262 today.