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 rely 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 offers a lot of benefits. You can improve its efficiency and select the right replacement equipment. We’ll share the key details about the most common HVAC systems. After, we’ll review how to find the best HVAC system in Newton.

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. As a group, these systems work together to keep our homes cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Your everyday 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 may be added or removed to regulate the indoor temperature. Air ducts can transport the air to each room of the house, but they’re not always required. Many HVAC accessories such as air filtration equipment are mounted 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 selecting an HVAC system. There are several different types, 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 staying cool throughout the hot summer months.

Furnaces

The trusty central furnace has been the most well-known 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 moves through your home while vapors are carefully ventilated outside. Furnaces use a pilot light or electronic hot surface ignition system to start a heating cycle.

Mini-Splits

Some HVAC systems don’t need central ductwork to provide 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 alternative for heating and cooling your home. In contrast to 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 using air circulation. Reduced energy use can help you save on your monthly bill. Heat pumps are ideal for milder climates and can even be installed alongside other equipment.

Garage Heaters

This smaller 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 distributed with power fans. The garage heaters themselves are often designed to be portable. They can be relocated around the garage freely or attached to the wall. Some models are even mounted to the ceiling.

How Do I Choose an HVAC System?

When choosing a new HVAC system, there are a few things to think about. You should find a balance between efficiency and your specific 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.

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. Look for models labeled with the ENERGY STAR® rating for especially efficient models.

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

Entrust new installation to trained professionals: A new HVAC system is a quality 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 evaluate your home and recommend the ideal HVAC system for you. If you’d like to start the process, give Brookwood Inc a call at 641-316-9803 today.