You’re on the hunt for a new home and looking for ways to pay less on utilities than you did in your previous home. Or maybe you’re finally ready to replace that old HVAC system that’s been giving you trouble for years. Before you install a new HVAC system, know that simply a newer version of your previous system may not be the best fit for your home and lifestyle.
But remember: the system you choose will determine the efficiency and comfort of your home for at least the next decade. Consider the size of your home, your budget, and the level of energy efficiency you want, and decide which of these systems works best for you.
Central Heating and Cooling
Central HVAC systems, which generally consist of a furnace, air conditioner, outdoor compressor, and a duct network that connects it all, are powerful and reliable. With proper care, a central heating and cooling system can keep your home at whatever temperature you prefer, with relatively little maintenance. No matter how extreme the temperature outside may be, you can be comfortable.
When compared to other types of heating and cooling, however, central HVAC systems tend to be less efficient. Leaks in the ductwork can contribute to high energy bills and reduced comfort, and central heating and cooling systems use a substantial amount of power. And while central heating and cooling can be relatively cheap to install when compared to some other systems, costs can go up if your home doesn’t have existing paths for a duct network.
Heat Pump
Heat pumps are somewhat similar to a central heating and cooling system in that they both use indoor and outdoor components and a duct network, but one particular difference sets them apart. While standard central heating and cooling systems require both an air conditioning unit and a furnace, heat pumps are a two-in-one system. During the summer, heat pumps draw heat from your home and deposit it outside, while in the winter, the process reverses and the system brings heat indoors.
Heat pumps are known for their efficiency, especially when compared to a central heating and cooling system. And if you’re replacing an old central heating and cooling system, putting a heat pump in its place will be relatively inexpensive. They are, however, less powerful than regular central systems.
Ductless
In contrast to central heating and cooling and heat pumps, ductless systems do away with the duct network and instead only consist of an outdoor air compressor that pumps refrigerant directly to an air handler unit that hangs right on the wall of your living room or bedroom. By eliminating the duct network, ductless systems retain the efficiency that could be lost thanks to issues with that network. And since air handlers are installed into individual rooms, you can customize the comfort of each area of your home.
While having multiple air handlers can be a benefit, it can also end up costing a lot of money to put an air handler in every room of your home.
Geothermal
If you’re looking for the greenest option of HVAC systems, then go with the geothermal heat pump. Rather than exchanging heat with the air, as a standard heat pump does, geothermal heat pumps exchange heat with the relatively constant and reliable temperature of the ground through a system of rods placed in the earth.
But while geothermal systems are the most efficient of this group of HVAC systems, they would also likely be the most expensive for you to install since doing so requires digging up your yard to install the rods. On the up-side, those expensive costs can be made up by the money you’ll save thanks to its efficiency.
Since your HVAC system is such an integral part of your home, installing a new one can be a stressful procedure. Each system has its pros and cons, and it’s up to you to decide which will benefit you and your family the most We’re happy to provide information and make recommendations that will help you make the best decision for your situation . To have any of these systems installed in your home, call BTAC at ,strong>806-589-1014.
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