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. Taking time to find out more about your HVAC system includes a lot of benefits. You can increase its efficiency and select the ideal replacement equipment. We’ll share the key facts about the most common HVAC systems. After, we’ll go over how to choose the best HVAC system in Auburn and Opelika.
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. Collectively, these systems collaborate 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 work by circulating air in and out of your home. Based on the specific system, heat might be added or taken away to regulate the indoor temperature. Air ducts can transport the air to every room of the house, but they’re not always required. Lots of HVAC accessories including air filtration equipment are fitted within 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 additional options than ever when picking out an HVAC system. There are multiple different models, 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 draws 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 popular way to heat your home for decades. It frequently runs on natural gas or oil, combusting the fuel to produce heat. This heat warms the air that moves through your home while vapors are safely ventilated outside. Furnaces use a pilot light or electronic hot surface ignition system to initiate 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 option for heating and cooling your home. Unlike 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. 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 rather 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 configured to be portable. They can be moved around the garage freely or fitted 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 strike a balance between efficiency and your specific comfort preferences. You can narrow down potential 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 can end up costing you in steeper energy bills. New HVAC systems should be the proper size for peak effectiveness.
Prioritize 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 strain 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: 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 like discounts on preventive maintenance plans.
Entrust new installation to certified 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 outset.
Your local expert technicians can evaluate your home and suggest the ideal HVAC system for you. If you’d like to start the process, give Farnell Mechanical, Inc. a call at 334-524-2458 today.