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 learn more about your HVAC system offers a lot of benefits. You can boost its efficiency and choose the right replacement equipment. We’ll share the key facts about the most common HVAC systems. After, we’ll go over how to find the best HVAC system in Central Point.

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 come together 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 work by circulating air in and out of your home. Based on the specific system, heat can be added or taken away to regulate the indoor temperature. Air ducts can transport the air to every room of the house, but they’re not always necessary. Lots of HVAC accessories like air filtration equipment are fitted within the ductwork for maximum 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 several different models, with one or more being the best 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 a groundbreaking piece of technology that extracts heat out of the air with a special substance called refrigerant or coolant. Extra 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 prominent way to warm your home for decades. It commonly runs on natural gas or oil, combusting the fuel to produce 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 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 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 desirable alternative for heating and cooling your home. Unlike central furnaces and air conditioners, heat pumps don’t produce their own source of climate control. Instead, they pump heat in or out of your home with 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 smaller kind of HVAC system is used to keep garages warm in the colder months. Many 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 configured to be portable. They can be relocated around the garage freely or fastened to the wall. Some models are even mounted to the ceiling.

How Do I Select an HVAC System?

When deciding on a new HVAC system, there are a few things to think about. You should find a balance between efficiency and your distinct comfort preferences. You can narrow down available 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 higher energy bills. New HVAC systems should be the proper 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 essential components and doesn’t need to work as long for climate control. Seek out models labeled with the ENERGY STAR® rating for especially efficient models.

Browse financing options and special offers: Lots of local service companies promote special financing for new installation. You may receive special offers for the system itself as well as other advantages such as discounts on preventive maintenance plans.

Entrust new installation to certified professionals: A new HVAC system is a terrific 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 receive maximum benefit from the beginning.

Your local expert technicians can review your home and suggest the perfect HVAC system for you. If you’d like to begin the process, give Titan Heating & Air Conditioning a call at 541-286-6617 today.