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 portion of your monthly energy bills. Taking time to understand more about your HVAC system offers a lot of benefits. You can boost its efficiency and select the right replacement equipment. We’ll share the key facts about the most popular HVAC systems. After, we’ll go over how to choose the best HVAC system in Columbus.
What Is HVAC?
HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning. This utility system keeps indoor temperatures comfortable. It also manages air quality through filtration and humidity control equipment. As a group, these systems work together to keep our homes cool in the summer and cozy 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 work by circulating air in and out of your home. Based on the specific system, heat may be introduced or extracted to regulate the indoor temperature. Air ducts can transport the air to each room of the house, but they’re not always necessary. Lots of HVAC accessories including 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 picking out an HVAC system. There are multiple different types, 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 an innovative piece of technology that pulls heat out of the air using a special substance called refrigerant or coolant. Extra heat and moisture are pumped out of the air and ventilated outdoors. This is incredibly efficient for staying cool through the sweltering summer months.
Furnaces
The trusty central furnace has been the most common way to heat your home for decades. 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 away. 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 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 desirable choice for heating and cooling your home. As opposed 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 with 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. Many garages are unfinished, so they can be quite 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 configured to be portable. They can be relocated around the garage freely or fitted to the wall. Some models are even mounted to the ceiling.
How Do I Pick an HVAC System?
When choosing a new HVAC system, there are a few things to consider. You should strike a balance between efficiency and your specific 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 might end up costing you in higher energy bills. New HVAC systems should be the proper size for peak effectiveness.
Focus on energy efficiency for long-term savings: High energy efficiency is one of the easiest ways to earn back more savings. Energy-efficient equipment puts less demand on essential components and doesn’t need to run as long for climate control. Seek out 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 may receive special offers for the system itself as well as other advantages like discounts on preventive maintenance plans.
Trust new installation to trained 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 receive maximum benefit from the outset.
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 Wolfe & Sons Heating and Cooling a call at 614-451-0846 today.