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 count on our heating cooling to keep our homes comfortable all year-round. It can also be a big part of your monthly energy bills. Taking time to understand more about your HVAC system offers a lot of benefits. You can improve its efficiency and determine the right replacement equipment. We’ll share the key facts about the most popular HVAC systems. After, we’ll review how to find the best HVAC system in Carson City.

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. Collectively, these systems collaborate to keep our homes cool in the summer and cozy in the winter. Your everyday HVAC system will have three primary 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 can be added or taken away to regulate the indoor temperature. Air ducts can transport the air to each room of the house, but they’re not always required. Many HVAC accessories including 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 considerably more options than ever when deciding on an HVAC system. There are multiple different models, with one or more being the most appropriate 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 draws heat out of the air with a special substance called refrigerant or coolant. Excess heat and moisture are pumped out of the air and ventilated outdoors. This is incredibly efficient for keeping cool during the sweltering summer months.

Furnaces

The trusty central furnace has been the most well-known way to warm your home for decades. It frequently runs on natural gas or oil, combusting the fuel to produce heat. This heat warms the air that circulates through your home while vapors are safely ventilated outside. Furnaces use a pilot light or electronic hot surface ignition system to begin a heating cycle.

Mini-Splits

Some HVAC systems don’t use 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 linked by copper piping that delivers climate control. You can set up 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. In contrast 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 using air circulation. Less energy use can help you save on your monthly bill. Heat pumps are ideal for milder climates and can even be installed alongside other equipment.

Garage Heaters

This scaled-down kind of HVAC system is used to keep garages warm in the colder months. Many 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 designed to be portable. They can be carried around the garage freely or mounted to the wall. Some models are even mounted to the ceiling.

How Do I Choose an HVAC System?

When deciding on a new HVAC system, there are several things to think about. You want to 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 can end up costing you in higher energy bills. New HVAC systems should be the appropriate size for peak effectiveness.

Prioritize energy efficiency for long-term savings: High energy efficiency is one of the easiest ways to earn back more savings. Energy-efficient equipment puts less demand on key components and doesn’t need to run as long for climate control. Try to find models labeled with the ENERGY STAR® rating for especially efficient models.

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

Entrust new installation to certified 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 complete 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 ideal HVAC system for you. If you’d like to start the process, give Anderson Heating & A/C a call at 775-230-7628 today.