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 rely on our heating cooling to keep our homes comfortable all year-round. It can also be a big portion of your monthly energy bills. Spending time to learn more about your HVAC system includes a lot of benefits. You can improve its efficiency and choose the right replacement equipment. We’ll share the key facts about the most common HVAC systems. After, we’ll discuss how to find the best HVAC system in Macon.

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 work 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. Based on the type of system, heat might be introduced or extracted to adjust the indoor temperature. Air ducts can bring the air to every room of the house, but they’re not always necessary. Many HVAC accessories such as 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 deciding on an HVAC system. There are multiple different styles, with one or more being the best 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 a groundbreaking piece of technology that extracts heat out of the air using a special substance called refrigerant or coolant. Extra heat and moisture are pumped out of the air and ventilated outdoors. This is highly efficient for keeping cool during the sweltering summer months.

Furnaces

The dependable central furnace has been the most popular way to heat 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 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 need 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 popular alternative for heating and cooling your home. Compared with 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. Reduced energy use can help you save on your monthly bill. Heat pumps are ideal 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 particularly 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 relocated 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 should strike a balance between efficiency and your distinct comfort preferences. You can narrow down potential 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 could end up costing you in steeper energy bills. New HVAC systems should be the appropriate size for peak effectiveness.

Prioritize energy efficiency for long-term savings: Higher energy efficiency is one of the easiest ways to earn back more savings. Energy-efficient equipment puts less strain on key components and doesn’t need to work as long for climate control. Seek out models marked with the ENERGY STAR® rating for particularly efficient models.

Explore financing options and special offers: Many local service companies promote special financing for new installation. You might 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 quality investment. You can get the most out of a new air conditioner or heat pump with experienced technicians. They complete air conditioning installation quickly and efficiently, ensuring you enjoy maximum benefit from the start.

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 Air Temperature Control a call at 478-202-3170 today.