Most of us take for granted how much an HVAC system can affect our lives. Whether it’s helping us stay warm in the chilly winter, months, or cool in the summer’s heat, HVAC systems truly provide us with a better, more comfortable quality of life.
But buying a new HVAC system is no small purchase. Therefore, it’s important to take a bit of extra time to plan out what system is right for you in order to keep you comfortable all throughout the year.
Below, we’ll go over a few important tips that are sure to help you choose the right heating and cooling system for your home.
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Have Your Ducts Inspected
Simply going out and buying the right parts is not all that is involved in selecting the best HVAC system for your home. It’s also a good idea to have your ducts inspected, to make sure that they are in good working order, before shopping for a new system.
For this, we recommend hiring a trained HVAC contractor, who will not only inspect your current duct work, but will also repair any poorly sealed joints or damage. A good contractor will also make sure that your ducts are cleaned of any dust or debris that could be keeping your HVAC system from working properly.
Leaks in your system can result in your system losing upward to 30% of its efficiency. Therefore, inspecting them and making sure that they are in good shape is an essential step before having your new system installed.
Selecting Your Furnace
Because of the importance of a good heating system in your home, you might want to consider purchasing a newer, more energy-efficient furnace, especially if your home’s current furnace is already a bit old and outdated.
Most older furnaces have lower energy efficiency ratings, which can be anywhere as low as 50% or 60%, whereas, some newer furnaces have efficiency ratings as high as 98.5%. Therefore, installing a newer furnace could end up saving you as much as 20% on your energy bills.
Keep in mind that it’s also important to choose a furnace that is the right size for you home. For this, it’s best to speak to a licensed HVAC contractor who will calculate the size of your home and recommend a properly sized furnace.
Finds more tips on choosing the best furnace for your home: https://www.familyhandyman.com/heating-cooling/furnace-repair/choosing-furnace-filters/view-all/
Newer furnaces are made more efficient through improvements to their air handlers, which push the air through your home. So, when you’re looking at furnaces, keep in mind that there are three different types of air handlers:
Single-State Air Handlers
This type of air handler is mostly used in older furnaces and only have one speed setting. This means that regardless of the heating need inside your home, their motors are always running at their maximum speed. In the end, this can waste a significant amount of energy to heat your house.
Two-Stage Air Handlers
Slightly newer furnace models usually have two-stage air handlers that can be set on either high or low. This allows you to save on energy consumption by adjusting your furnace’s speed settings depending on the amount of heating that is required.
In most cases, the low setting is enough to keep the house at a comfortable temperature, however, you always have the option to increase its speed when larger amounts of warm air are needed.
Variable Speed Air Handlers
As their name implies, this type of air handler can be run at a variety of different speeds. This allows for the best efficiency, since you can adjust the system to run at optimal speeds.
Selecting Your Air Conditioning Unit
A high-efficiency air conditioning unit is crucial for keeping your living space cool and comfortable during the hot summer months, as well as maintaining proper indoor air quality.
The efficiency of an air conditioner is determined by what’s known as its SEER rating, or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. The higher the SEER rating, the more efficient the unit will be, which means more savings on your energy costs.
In fact, upgrading your air conditioner to one with a higher SEER rating could save you up to 40% per year.
That being said, it’s important to never choose an air conditioner with a SEER rating lower than 16. These units may be more affordable to purchase; however, they will end up costing you more on your energy bills in the long run.
It’s a good idea to stick to air conditioners that have variable speed scroll compressors. These units produce significantly less noise than older air conditioners that use reciprocating compressors.
We also recommend choosing an air conditioner that has an aluminum evaporator coil. Compared to older units with steel or copper coils, these are much less likely to corrode and form leakages.
Consider a Heat Pump
For those who prefer an all-in-one HVAC system, purchasing a heat pump might be the best bet.
These units work just like a traditional air conditioner system by using a refrigerant to help draw the heat out of your home. However, you have the option to switch the reverse valve, which will change the flow of the refrigerant, drawing in warmth from outside and pumping it into your home.
To date, these are the most energy-efficient heating systems on the market and having one installed can typically save you up to 40% on your heating and cooling costs.
Thinking About Having an HVAC System Installed?
Whether you’re looking to purchase a new heating and cooling system, or simply need your current system serviced or repaired, it’s best to speak to a licensed HVAC contractor.
Reputable companies will send a trained technician to your home to inspect your current system and its duct work and will be able to recommend an efficient system based on the exact size of your home.
Remember that your home’s heating and cooling system are an essential part of keeping you and your family comfortable throughout the year. Therefore, it’s important to plan properly and select the best HVAC system for your home.