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 rely 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 find out more about your HVAC system includes a lot of benefits. You can boost its efficiency and select the right replacement equipment. We’ll share the key details about the most common HVAC systems. After, we’ll go over how to find the best HVAC system in Omaha.

What Is HVAC?

HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning. This utility system keeps indoor temperatures comfortable. It also improves air quality through filtration and humidity control equipment. As a group, these systems work together to keep our homes cool in the summer and cozy in the winter. Your average 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 work by circulating air in and out of your home. Based on the type of system, heat can be introduced or extracted to regulate the indoor temperature. Air ducts can bring the air to every room of the house, but they’re not always necessary. Many HVAC accessories like air filtration equipment are mounted inside 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 picking out an HVAC system. There are several different types, 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 an innovative piece of technology that pulls 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 incredibly efficient for staying cool during the hot summer months.

Furnaces

The dependable central furnace has been the most prominent way to warm your home for many years. It commonly runs on natural gas or oil, combusting the fuel to generate heat. This heat warms the air that circulates through your home while vapors are properly 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 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 alternative 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. Less energy use can help you save on your monthly bill. Heat pumps are best suited 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 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 moved around the garage freely or mounted 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 want to find a balance between efficiency and your distinct 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 might 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: Higher energy efficiency is one of the easiest ways to earn back more savings. Energy-efficient equipment puts less demand on critical components and doesn’t need to work as long for climate control. Try to find models labeled with the ENERGY STAR® rating for especially efficient models.

Explore financing options and special offers: Many local service companies extend 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.

Trust 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 seasoned technicians. They complete air conditioning installation quickly and efficiently, ensuring you enjoy maximum benefit from the outset.

Your local expert technicians can review your home and recommend the ideal HVAC system for you. If you’d like to start the process, give The Frazier Company a call at 402-628-0206 today.