Your HVAC system is an important utility. We depend on our heating cooling to keep our homes comfortable all year-round. It can also be a big portion of your monthly energy bills. Spending time to learn more about your HVAC system includes a lot of benefits. You can improve its efficiency and determine the right replacement equipment. We’ll share the key details about the most common HVAC systems. After, we’ll talk about how to choose the best HVAC system in Ballwin and St. Charles.
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. Collectively, these systems collaborate to keep our homes cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Your standard 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 type of system, heat might be introduced 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. Lots of HVAC accessories including 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 considerably more options than ever when choosing 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 like the heat pump.
Air Conditioners
An air conditioner is a groundbreaking piece of technology that draws heat out of the air using 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 throughout the sweltering summer months.
Furnaces
The trusty central furnace has been the most common 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 safely ventilated outside. Furnaces use a pilot light or electronic hot surface ignition system to start a heating cycle.
Mini-Splits
Some HVAC systems don’t need central ductwork to provide 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 choice for heating and cooling your home. In contrast to 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. Reduced 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 smaller 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 relocated around the garage freely or attached 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 consider. You want to 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 could end up costing you in steeper energy bills. New HVAC systems should be the proper size for peak effectiveness.
Focus on 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 strain on critical components and doesn’t need to run as long for climate control. Look for models marked with the ENERGY STAR® rating for particularly efficient models.
Explore financing options and special offers: Many local service companies offer special financing for new installation. You may receive special offers for the system itself as well as other perks like discounts on preventive maintenance plans.
Trust new installation to trained 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 receive maximum benefit from the start.
Your local expert technicians can assess your home and suggest the perfect HVAC system for you. If you’d like to begin the process, give Air Alliance Team a call at 636-206-4250 today.