Your HVAC system is an important utility. We depend on our heating cooling to keep our homes comfortable all year-round. It can also be a significant part of your monthly energy bills. Taking time to understand more about your HVAC system includes a lot of benefits. You can increase its efficiency and select the right replacement equipment. We’ll share the key facts about the most common HVAC systems. After, we’ll talk about how to find the best HVAC system in West Jefferson.
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 work together to keep our homes cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Your standard 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 work by circulating air in and out of your home. Depending on the specific system, heat may be added or removed to regulate the indoor temperature. Air ducts can carry the air to every room of the house, but they’re not always necessary. Lots of HVAC accessories such as air filtration equipment are mounted within 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 picking out an HVAC system. There are multiple different styles, with one or more being the most appropriate combination for your comfort needs. These range from popular air conditioners and furnaces to alternatives such as the heat pump.
Air Conditioners
An air conditioner is an ingenious piece of technology that extracts heat out of the air using 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 staying cool during the sweltering summer months.
Furnaces
The dependable central furnace has been the most popular way to heat your home for many years. It frequently 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 use central ductwork to provide heating and cooling. A ductless mini-split system is one such piece of equipment. An indoor and outdoor unit are instead linked 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. As opposed 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. Less energy use can help you save on your monthly bill. Heat pumps are ideal 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. Most 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 moved around the garage freely or fitted to the wall. Some models are even hung from the ceiling.
How Do I Select an HVAC System?
When deciding on a new HVAC system, there are several things to think about. You should strike a balance between efficiency and your unique 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 steeper energy bills. New HVAC systems should be the proper size for maximum effectiveness.
Focus on energy efficiency for long-term savings: Higher energy efficiency is one of the best ways to earn back more savings. Energy-efficient equipment puts less demand on key components and doesn’t need to run as long for climate control. Try to find models marked with the ENERGY STAR® rating for particularly efficient models.
Browse financing options and special offers: Lots of local service companies offer special financing for new installation. You might receive special offers for the system itself as well as other perks 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 seasoned technicians. They complete air conditioning installation quickly and efficiently, ensuring you enjoy maximum benefit from the beginning.
Your local expert technicians can review your home and suggest the perfect HVAC system for you. If you’d like to start the process, give West Jefferson Plumbing and Heating, Inc. a call at 614-879-9091 today.