Your HVAC system is an essential utility. We rely on our heating cooling to keep our homes comfortable all year-round. It can also be a significant portion 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 discuss how to find the best HVAC system in Marshalltown.
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 standard 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. Depending on the type of system, heat can be added or removed to adjust the indoor temperature. Air ducts can carry the air to every room of the house, but they’re not always necessary. Many HVAC accessories such as air filtration equipment are installed 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 more options than ever when selecting an HVAC system. There are multiple different models, with one or more being the ideal combination for your comfort needs. These vary from popular air conditioners and furnaces to alternatives such as the heat pump.
Air Conditioners
An air conditioner is an ingenious piece of technology that extracts heat out of the air using a special substance called refrigerant or coolant. Unwanted heat and moisture are pumped out of the air and ventilated outdoors. This is extremely efficient for keeping cool during the sweltering summer months.
Furnaces
The trusty central furnace has been the most well-known way to heat your home for many years. It commonly 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 initiate a heating cycle.
Mini-Splits
Some HVAC systems don’t need central ductwork to deliver 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 popular option for heating and cooling your home. Compared with central furnaces and air conditioners, heat pumps don’t create their own source of climate control. Instead, they pump heat in or out of your home using air circulation. Lower energy use can help you save on your monthly bill. Heat pumps are perfect 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 rather 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 fitted 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 a few things to think about. You should strike a balance between efficiency and your specific comfort preferences. You can narrow down available options with the following tips:
Choose 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 larger energy bills. New HVAC systems should be the appropriate size for peak effectiveness.
Focus on 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 demand on key components and doesn’t need to work as long for climate control. Seek out models labeled with the ENERGY STAR® rating for particularly efficient models.
Browse financing options and special offers: Many local service companies offer special financing for new installation. You could receive special offers for the system itself as well as other perks such as discounts on preventive maintenance plans.
Entrust 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 experienced technicians. They perform air conditioning installation quickly and efficiently, ensuring you enjoy maximum benefit from the outset.
Your local expert technicians can assess your home and recommend the ideal HVAC system for you. If you’d like to start the process, give B & G HVAC a call at 641-316-3360 today.