Understanding HVAC Systems

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Originally Posted On: https://www.airforceairconditioningandheating.com/understanding-hvac-systems/

Imagine your home couldn’t heat up on a chilly and frigid day. Likewise, imagine your home being unable to cool down when the temperatures skyrocket.

This is essentially the position you’d be in if your home lacked an HVAC system.

HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning. And it’s a necessity for achieving a state of quality air control and regulated temperature in your home.

In this HVAC guide, you will learn about how your HVAC system works, why it’s important to your home, as well as some of the best options that are available to you if you need a replacement.

Prior to paying for a completely new and up-to-date HVAC system, try to do some preliminary screening to see if there are any issues. Sometimes there might be something minor that doesn’t require a complete overhaul of your system.

Homeowners in this situation can usually benefit from looking at some HVAC companies and hiring an expert for an evaluation.

This will inform you of any energy leakage that may be taking place in your home.

Additionally, this is a very wise first step, because the heating and cooling in your home results in almost half of the typical household’s energy output.

Also, this process will let you know if you should insulate certain areas of your living space. By doing so, you can enhance the efficiency of your current HVAC system as well as save money when it comes to energy usage.

Getting the right size is paramount. A system that’s too big will usually inflate your costs unnecessarily.

This will make itself apparent first with the price of installing a more substantial system, and then with the recurring price of running it over time.

But aside from that, a more pressing concern than money would be your own wellbeing.

A clumsy-sized HVAC system could carry some severe health complications to both you and your family.

Here are a few trouble spots that could potentially arise from such a circumstance:

• Leaks of carbon monoxide

• Various other poisons leaking

• Susceptibility to fires

• The growth of mold

When it comes to getting the proper sizes, a load calculation is key. The extent of insulation will play a major role in the needs and requirements of your load.

But here are some other determinants to consider:

• The climate and weather patterns of the area you live in

• The kind of windows built into your home as well as how many

• The ventilation system of your house and its demands

If you’ve properly vetted your HVAC contractors and found a quality one, he should have no problem determining the size of the HVAC system you’ll require.

Once you’ve been educated by your HVAC contractor, it is now time to make a decision. Your contractor will go over a plethora of options with you.

It’s at this point that you’ll want to be thoroughly in the know about what your home requirements are, so you can make the best choice possible.

Furthermore, if you’re looking to upgrade to an entirely new system, then learning about all the alternatives becomes even more crucial.

The systems of today come refurbished with a myriad of features that were nonexistent just a few decades ago.

A perfect example would be that the modernized systems we enjoy today come with efficient energy options that have the ability to save you a startling amount of money on some of your utility bills.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at a few of the more popular HVAC systems, as well as some pros and cons that come along with them.

The majority of houses have some semblance relating to a split system. It is referred to as a split due to the fact that one portion of the system is outside, while another is inside.

Split systems are so popular that there’s not much of a debate or comparison between them and other HVAC systems.

It would be like trying to compare Google and YouTube, they’re both great — so what does it matter?

Pros

Split systems feature a myriad of options. And they are designed to align with your needs when it comes to the heating and cooling of your home.

Moreover, they are also fairly priced and incredibly efficient.

Cons

You’ll definitely need a professional to help you with the HVAC installation as this will require expert knowledge. And improper installment can cause severe consequences for a very long time.

Essentially an element of a split system, heat pumps are a very appealing alternative for homeowners. The heat pump’s job is to circulate airflow from one area of the house to another.

In the warmer months, hot air is taken from your home and transported outside. And in the colder months during the winter, it does the opposite.

If you prefer to be environmentally friendly, then having a heat pump is the choice for you since it uses electricity as its power source.

Pros

Looking for efficiency for your HVAC system? Then look no further than heat pumps. They are the most efficient units on the going market.

When compared to furnaces, a decent heat pump has the potential to decrease your home’s electricity usage by half!

Cons

Generally, heat pumps have been known to be difficult to properly install. And on top of that, they also have a high upfront cost.

Of course, there are many factors that are going to play into the price and installment of a heat pump.

But with that being said, it is not out of the realm of possibility for the price tag to be $15,000 to $20,000 or more.

A Zone system can be installed, and as a result, can provide a tremendous amount of solace and energy-saving efficiency to your home. This can be done by being precise about the rooms you select to heat up or cool down.

Zoned systems use a network of valves, plugs, and stoppers in your duct.  These devices are then manipulated to shut off certain areas of your house that are unoccupied.

This will allow you to save quite a bit in energy consumption over time.

A zone system and a split system are two sides of the same coin. Their names are simply citing different characteristics of the HVAC system.

Pros

No more wasted energy as you will have full control over which rooms the air gets conditioned. You also get the benefit of having your maintenance reduced.

With less energy being demanded from your system, your next HVAC repair could be a while away.

Cons

Quite an expensive upfront investment. Also, because of all the components needed, it can become intrusive.

If you’re more worried about heating your house as opposed to keeping it cool, then this option is for you. Single-stage furnaces are perfect for homes that experience freezing temperatures.

One large unit that’s either on at full blast or completely turned off, with little wiggle room for anything in between.

Pros

Efficient when it comes to cooling and heating your home, these systems are also cost-effective and great for maintenance as they don’t require a lot of upkeep.

Cons

The single-stage furnace is not designed to keep homes heated during the colder months. As a result, there may be certain ‘cold zones’ in your house during the wintertime.

Similar to the Single-Stage furnace, this brand is also geared towards homes in a colder climate. The main advantage of this system is its range.

It can operate using less energy than the single-stage unit, which means it spreads and filters the warm air in your home more efficiently.

Pros

Better air quality, more efficient distribution of air throughout the home, and more comfort.

Cons

It’s pretty expensive compared to other units.

There is a single-stage and a two-stage alternative for ACs. With the single, they’re either going full blast or completely turned off. For the Two-stage, it provides a lower setting, which means higher efficiency.

Pros of Single-Stage

The price is more competitive than the two-stage, and the single-stage is often all you need for a smaller home.

Pros of Two-Stage

The two-stage will cool your home quicker, be more efficient, and is quieter while operating.

Humidifiers are useful if you live in a very dry or humid area. You will be able to control and command the humidity level.

And this is why HVAC experts suggest a split system with an independent humidifier for your home.

Upgrading your HVAC system can be an intimidating process. But once you have become armed with the right knowledge, that process can feel a lot more manageable.

And that’s what this HVAC guide is here to assist you with.

If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch with us. We’re happy to help.