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 count on our heating cooling to keep our homes comfortable all year-round. It can also be a big portion 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 choose the right replacement equipment. We’ll share the key details about the most common HVAC systems. After, we’ll talk about how to choose the best HVAC system in Tucker.

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 collaborate 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 function by circulating air in and out of your home. Based on the type of system, heat may be added or extracted to adjust the indoor temperature. Air ducts can transport the air to each room of the house, but they’re not always required. Many HVAC accessories like air filtration equipment are installed 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 picking out an HVAC system. There are several different styles, 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 draws heat out of the air using a special substance called refrigerant or coolant. Excess heat and moisture are pumped out of the air and ventilated outdoors. This is extremely efficient for staying cool during the sweltering summer months.

Furnaces

The dependable central furnace has been the most well-known way to warm your home for many years. It commonly 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 outside. Furnaces use a pilot light or electronic hot surface ignition system to begin 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 desirable alternative for heating and cooling your home. Compared with 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 best suited 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 quite 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 manufactured to be portable. They can be relocated around the garage freely or mounted 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 a few things to think about. You should find 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 may end up costing you in higher 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 key components and doesn’t need to run as long for climate control. Try to find models labeled with the ENERGY STAR® rating for especially efficient models.

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

Trust new installation to certified 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 complete air conditioning installation quickly and efficiently, ensuring you receive maximum benefit from the start.

Your local expert technicians can assess your home and suggest the perfect HVAC system for you. If you’d like to start the process, give ACS Heating and Air Conditioning a call at 770-450-1539 today.