You have already performed an energy efficiency assessment of your house and have gotten some extra insulation done. The next thing on your mind is to call an HVAC expert and decide on the right HVAC unit.
Before taking an expert’s advice, you must perform a quick research on the types of units available today. In fact, you have a range of options that newer systems provide which are briefly listed below.
Air Conditioning and Heating Split System
This is believed to be one of the most traditional HVAC systems. With a split unit, you have parts located both outside and inside your house. An advanced split system comprises the following parts.
- A/C: Cools refrigerant
- Evaporator coil and furnaces, or fan coil: circulates air and converts refrigerant
- Ducts: transports the air throughout the house
- Control or thermostats: an interface that helps in controlling the system
Hybrid Heat Split System
A hybrid heat split system is an energy-efficient substitute of the conventional air conditioning and heating split system. The availability of a heat pump provides the option of electricity-fueled air conditioning or heating. A competitively priced hybrid heat split system comprises the following.
- Heat Pump: heats and cools refrigerant
- Evaporator coil and furnaces: circulates air and converts refrigerant
- Ducts: transports the air throughout the house
- Control or Thermostat: an interface that helps to control the system
- Accessories: such as air purifiers, air cleaners, humidifiers, ventilators and the like, to maintain air quality.
Duct-Free System
Duct-free systems are the ones that can be installed in spaces where the normal ducted systems are hard to fit. In fact, they are the best complement to a ducted system. These units offer a combination of the following.
- Compact Fan Coil: circulates air, converts refrigerant
- Air Conditioner or heat pump: heats or cools refrigerant
- Refrigerant wires or tubing: connects the fan coil to the outdoor unit
- Thermostat or control: the interface that helps control the system
- Accessories: such as air purifiers, air cleaners, humidifiers, ventilators and the like, to maintain air quality
Packaged Air Conditioning and Heating System
In case, your house does not have enough space to fit in multiple separate products of a split system, several companies offer packaged solutions. The options include the following.
- Packaged Products: an air conditioner or heat pump combined with an evaporator coil or fan coil in a single unit
- Thermostat or Control: the interface that helps in controlling the system
- Optional accessories: for indoor air quality such as air cleaners, humidifiers, air purifiers, ventilators or UV lamps.
Zoned Systems
Zoned HVAC systems are used for heating or cooling individual areas of the house by controlling zone dampers and valves inside the ductwork or vents that block the airflow selectively. Zoned systems have the ability to save you money and energy by only cooling or heating certain spaces, as needed.
HVAC systems today come in a variety of sizes and types, and the one you choose to add or upgrade should depend upon the size of your house and the climate of the area where you live. It is best to seek advice from HVAC experts before choosing a system.
