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 find out more about your HVAC system includes a lot of benefits. You can enhance its efficiency and choose the ideal replacement equipment. We’ll share the key details about the most common HVAC systems. After, we’ll go over how to choose the best HVAC system in Auburn.
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. Collectively, these systems come together to keep our homes cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Your everyday 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 function by circulating air in and out of your home. Based on the type of system, heat may be added or removed 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 mounted 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 picking out an HVAC system. There are multiple different styles, with one or more being the most appropriate combination for your comfort needs. These vary 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 with a special substance called refrigerant or coolant. Excess 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 dependable central furnace has been the most well-known way to warm your home for decades. 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 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 circulate 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 desirable alternative for heating and cooling your home. As opposed 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. Less energy use can help you save on your monthly bill. Heat pumps are perfect for milder climates and can even be installed along with 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 hung from the ceiling.
How Do I Choose an HVAC System?
When choosing a new HVAC system, there are several things to consider. You want to find a balance between efficiency and your specific comfort preferences. You can narrow down available 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 may 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 strain on critical components and doesn’t need to run as long for climate control. Look for models marked with the ENERGY STAR® rating for especially efficient models.
Browse financing options and special offers: Lots of 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 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 enjoy maximum benefit from the outset.
Your local expert technicians can review your home and suggest the ideal HVAC system for you. If you’d like to begin the process, give Forster Heating a call at 530-885-8081 today.