Your HVAC system is an essential 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 understand more about your HVAC system offers a lot of benefits. You can increase its efficiency and determine the ideal replacement equipment. We’ll share the key details about the most popular HVAC systems. After, we’ll go over how to find the best HVAC system in Laurel.
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. Collectively, these systems work together to keep our homes cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Your standard 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 might be introduced or removed to adjust the indoor temperature. Air ducts can carry the air to each room of the house, but they’re not always required. Lots of HVAC accessories including air filtration equipment are mounted 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 selecting 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 ingenious 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 incredibly efficient for staying cool throughout the hot summer months.
Furnaces
The dependable central furnace has been the most popular way to warm your home for many years. 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 use 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. Unlike 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. Lower energy use can help you save on your monthly bill. Heat pumps are best suited for milder climates and can even be installed along with other equipment.
Garage Heaters
This compact 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 distributed with power fans. The garage heaters themselves are often manufactured to be portable. They can be carried around the garage freely or fitted 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 consider. You want to strike a balance between efficiency and your unique 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 could end up costing you in larger energy bills. New HVAC systems should be the appropriate size for peak 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: Many local service companies promote 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.
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 perform 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 start the process, give H&C Heating and Cooling a call at 301-960-3247 today.