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 essential utility. We depend 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 find out 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 talk about how to find the best HVAC system in Fort Lauderdale.

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. As a group, these systems collaborate to keep our homes cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Your average 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 function by circulating air in and out of your home. Based on the type of system, heat might be introduced or removed to regulate the indoor temperature. Air ducts can transport the air to each room of the house, but they’re not always required. Lots of HVAC accessories such as air filtration equipment are mounted within 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 additional options than ever when selecting an HVAC system. There are several 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 an innovative piece of technology that extracts 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 highly efficient for staying cool during the hot summer months.

Furnaces

The dependable central furnace has been the most common way to heat your home for decades. It commonly 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 need central ductwork to circulate heating and cooling. A ductless mini-split system is one such piece 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 popular option for heating and cooling your home. As opposed to central furnaces and air conditioners, heat pumps don’t generate their own source of climate control. Instead, they pump heat in or out of your home with 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 smaller kind of HVAC system is used to keep garages warm in the colder months. Many 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 configured to be portable. They can be relocated around the garage freely or mounted to the wall. Some models are even hung from the ceiling.

How Do I Choose an HVAC System?

When deciding on a new HVAC system, there are several things to think about. You should find a balance between efficiency and your unique comfort preferences. You can narrow down possible 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 might end up costing you in larger energy bills. New HVAC systems should be the proper size for peak effectiveness.

Focus on 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 demand on essential components and doesn’t need to run as long for climate control. Seek out models labeled with the ENERGY STAR® rating for especially efficient models.

Explore financing options and special offers: Many local service companies offer special financing for new installation. You may receive special offers for the system itself as well as other benefits such as discounts on preventive maintenance plans.

Trust new installation to qualified 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 receive maximum benefit from the outset.

Your local expert technicians can assess your home and suggest the perfect HVAC system for you. If you’d like to begin the process, give Solar Air Inc. a call at 954-320-7398 today.