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 part of your monthly energy bills. Taking time to learn more about your HVAC system offers a lot of benefits. You can increase its efficiency and choose the ideal replacement equipment. We’ll share the key facts about the most common HVAC systems. After, we’ll talk about how to choose the best HVAC system in Rockford.
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 come together to keep our homes cool in the summer and warm 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. Depending on the specific system, heat might 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 necessary. Lots of HVAC accessories such as air filtration equipment are mounted 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 more options than ever when deciding on an HVAC system. There are multiple different types, with one or more being the ideal 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 a groundbreaking piece of technology that extracts heat out of the air with a special substance called refrigerant or coolant. Extra heat and moisture are pumped out of the air and ventilated outdoors. This is extremely efficient for keeping cool during the sweltering summer months.
Furnaces
The trusty central furnace has been the most prominent way to heat 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 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 desirable alternative 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. Reduced 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 smaller 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 relocated around the garage freely or mounted 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 think about. You want to strike a balance between efficiency and your specific 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 might end up costing you in steeper energy bills. New HVAC systems should be the proper size for maximum effectiveness.
Focus on energy efficiency for long-term savings: Higher energy efficiency is one of the best ways to earn back more savings. Energy-efficient equipment puts less strain on key components and doesn’t need to run as long for climate control. Seek out models labeled with the ENERGY STAR® rating for particularly efficient models.
Browse 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.
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 perform air conditioning installation quickly and efficiently, ensuring you enjoy maximum benefit from the start.
Your local expert technicians can review your home and recommend the perfect HVAC system for you. If you’d like to start the process, give Temperature Doctors Heating & Cooling, Inc a call at (815)914-6197 today.