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. Spending time to find out more about your HVAC system includes a lot of benefits. You can boost its efficiency and select the ideal 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 Alice.
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 come together to keep our homes cool in the summer and cozy in the winter. Your standard HVAC system will have three main 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. Based on the type of system, heat can be added or taken away to regulate the indoor temperature. Air ducts can bring the air to each room of the house, but they’re not always required. Lots of HVAC accessories such as air filtration equipment are installed within 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 more options than ever when deciding on an HVAC system. There are multiple different types, 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 pulls 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 extremely efficient for staying cool throughout the sweltering summer months.
Furnaces
The dependable central furnace has been the most common way to heat 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 safely 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 use central ductwork to deliver heating and cooling. A ductless mini-split system is one such piece of equipment. An indoor and outdoor unit are instead connected 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 option for heating and cooling your home. In contrast to central furnaces and air conditioners, heat pumps don’t generate 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 perfect for milder climates and can even be installed alongside other equipment.
Garage Heaters
This scaled-down 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 mounted to the wall. Some models are even hung from the ceiling.
How Do I Pick an HVAC System?
When choosing a new HVAC system, there are several things to think about. You want to strike 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 may end up costing you in higher 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 easiest ways to earn back more savings. Energy-efficient equipment puts less demand on key components and doesn’t need to work as long for climate control. Try to find models marked with the ENERGY STAR® rating for especially efficient models.
Browse financing options and special offers: Many local service companies offer special financing for new installation. You may receive special offers for the system itself as well as other perks like discounts on preventive maintenance plans.
Trust new installation to qualified professionals: A new HVAC system is a great 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 assess your home and recommend the ideal HVAC system for you. If you’d like to start the process, give Rescue Heating & Air a call at 361-265-4371 today.