Finding the Right HVAC System for Your Home

Whether you’re installing a new HVAC system into your home or updating an older system, you want to tailor your heating and cooling solution to the layout of your home and the requirements of its residents. Fortunately, HVAC systems offer a variety of options and configurations.

HVAC systems come with a huge range of customizable fixtures and configurations, but can ultimately be broken down into four major categories. Before you select the HVAC unit for you, you should consider the important personal and climate factors around your home.

Important Factors for Selecting an HVAC System

The most important element in choosing your HVAC unit is climate. If you live in a humid area like Florida or Louisiana, you want to make sure that your HVAC unit has a two-stage compressor, a variable-speed air handle, and other dehumidification accessories. If you live in a hotter, dryer climate, you need to focus on robust options for cooling and temperature control. The lowest-cost option on the market will not always give you the performance you need if you live in less mild climates like these.

The next factor in choosing an HVAC unit is the contents of your home, particularly the heat-producing appliances and number of people. People produce small amounts of heat themselves of course, but more people also affect how often kitchen appliances are used and hot showers are run.

Everything from a dishwasher to a child generates heat and impacts energy usage. If you pick a system tailored to your building but not what is in it, you may end up with more heat than you need and a bill that’s higher than it needs to be.

Two Stage Compressor

Two Stage Compressors are the most popular HVAC unit. They are also known as split systems, as their layout is divided between the condenser and compressor in an outdoor unit, and an indoor unit containing the evaporator coil and blower.

These are the cheapest, most efficient system if you have an existing furnace or heating apparatus, as the internal unit can be easily connected to most heating systems.

Hybrid Heating and Cooling System

Hybrid heating and cooling systems combine an electrically powered heat pump with a furnace. These systems essentially pull air from the outside into your home, with the benefit of being particularly energy efficient and ecologically friendly. These systems are also considered to be very comfortable, as the pump delivers a constant stream of warm or cool air, rather than bursts.

However, these systems become inefficient in temperatures below 40 degrees, as they become reliant on the furnace component. These systems are ideal for a warmer or more consistent climate.

Ductless Mini-Split Heat Pump

Ductless mini-split heat pumps, also known as duct-free HVAC systems, are ideal for non-traditional building layouts that can’t support a duct system. They can also be used in conjunction with a traditional HVAC system, addressing spots the HVAC system may not be able to reach.

Ductless mini-split heat pump units are installed directly into the zones of the home they need to heat or cool and are connected to an external pump system which can support up to four units. These systems are compact and lean and use an average of 60% less energy than traditional systems. However, they are limited to smaller spaces or homes with minimal climate control requirements.

Packaged Heating & Air Conditioning System

A packaged system condenses the entire heating and air apparatus to a single unit connecting the exterior and the interior. These are consolidated, space-efficient systems that are easily configured and managed. However, packaged systems do have a considerable installation requirement, as they must be affixed to the ductwork of your home through the exterior.

Additional Configurations

Within these categories, there are more than 30 configurations of HVAC systems including furnaces, hydronic heating, central cooling, heat pumps, and other accessories to specifically tailor temperature and climate. With effort and expertise, you can create the perfect system for any home.

We’re here to provide that expertise, and our team of professionals have the experience to evaluate your home and provide the perfect solutions tailored to every factor. Contact us today to find the HVAC system for your home.  For more blog information, here is a guide to HVAC warranty best practices.

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