Your HVAC system is an essential utility. We depend 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 find out more about your HVAC system includes a lot of benefits. You can increase its efficiency and choose the right replacement equipment. We’ll share the key details about the most common HVAC systems. After, we’ll discuss how to choose the best HVAC system in Chelan and Wenatchee.
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 collaborate to keep our homes cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Your average 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 can be introduced or removed 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 installed 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 selecting an HVAC system. There are multiple different styles, 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 pulls 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 highly efficient for staying cool during the hot summer months.
Furnaces
The dependable central furnace has been the most well-known way to warm your home for many years. It frequently 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 properly ventilated away. Furnaces use a pilot light or electronic hot surface ignition system to start a heating cycle.
Mini-Splits
Some HVAC systems don’t use 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 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 option 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 using air circulation. Less energy use can help you save on your monthly bill. Heat pumps are best suited 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. 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 distributed with power fans. The garage heaters themselves are often manufactured to be portable. They can be moved around the garage freely or attached to the wall. Some models are even mounted to the ceiling.
How Do I Select an HVAC System?
When choosing 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 possible 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 steeper 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 strain on critical 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: Many local service companies extend special financing for new installation. You could receive special offers for the system itself as well as other perks like discounts on preventive maintenance plans.
Trust new installation to qualified professionals: A new HVAC system is a terrific investment. You can get the most out of a new air conditioner or heat pump with experienced 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 perfect HVAC system for you. If you’d like to start the process, give Lakeside Heating & Air a call at 509-284-4265 today.