Choosing the ideal heating and cooling system for your home or business is crucial for comfortable year-round living. You have a number of options, and making the right selection means considering several important factors.
With that in mind, our friends at Superior Heating and Cooling helped us put together this helpful guide for determining what type of HVAC unit is right for your home or place of business.
Assess Your Climate Needs
The place where you live (or work) plays a significant role in determining the best kind of heating and cooling system. In a predominantly cold climate, a powerful heating system such as a furnace or boiler might be required. Conversely, you might need a highly efficient air conditioning unit or heat pump if you lived in a space with consistently hot weather.
However, a reliable, versatile HVAC system, like a ductless mini-split or central HVAC system might be best for homeowners in a region with consistently varying seasonal temperatures.
Understand Different System Types
According to the HVAC professionals at Superior Heating and Cooling, many different kinds of systems exist for heating and cooling, including:
Central HVAC Systems
Central AC units work through ducted systems. They collect conditioned air (either heated or cooled) from centralized rooms and conduct that air uniformly around the interior of the home.
Mini-Splits without Ducts
Appropriate for residences without ductwork, these systems provide not just energy efficiency but also temperature control in specific zones. They are a good alternative to central air conditioning.
Heat Pumps
These systems offer both heat and cool. Put simply, a heat pump is an air conditioner that operates in reverse. Both devices use electricity and refrigerants to effect the desired changes in temperature; however; heat pumps are more energy efficient.
Heaters and Boilers
Colder areas that heat force to air are best served by heaters; those that heat water are best served by boilers.
Window and Portable Units
While these may be highly affordable cooling choices for small spaces, portable and window air conditioners simply aren’t efficient for cooling whole houses.
Consider Energy Efficiency
When selecting a heating and cooling system, energy efficiency is a key consideration. Why? Because it affects how much energy we’re billed for, as well as the impact of our carbon footprint.
When considering a system’s energy efficiency, look at its SEER rating (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio). This is the unit of measure for cooling efficiency. A high SEER rating means the system uses energy in an efficient way.
Superior Heating and Cooling Can Help You Find the Best HVAC Unit for Your Needs
A licensed HVAC pro can help you sort through the many options available to you and make sure your system is installed correctly. These contractors will first size your system up to your specific needs. Then they’ll make recommendations and guide you on how to maintain your system for peak performance and long life.
Taking these factors into account allows the selection of the optimal heating and cooling system to ensure energy efficiency, to maintain comfort, and to save money in the long run, whether in a residence or a business.
