5 Best Heating And Cooling Combination Units
April 23, 2021
The first question to ask when thinking about replacing your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system is whether you know what types of AC and heater are available for your home. It’s easy to get a good grasp of your options; however, many homeowners think they’re complicated.
Choosing Correct HVAC Unit
There are numerous reasons why choosing the right HVAC system for your home is vital than you anticipate it to be. According to the US Department of Energy (DOE), energy efficiency is an essential issue since HVAC systems account for 48% of an average home’s energy usage. Temperature and humidity can be adjusted for the perfect indoor climate, so you just need to pick the right equipment to avoid making your expenses more costly.
Here’s a guide to HVAC systems covering the five best heating and cooling units:
1. Standard Split System
Fossil fuel furnaces and central air conditioners are perennially popular in Virginia. These are also known as forced air systems because they circulate air through ducts using a blower in the furnace.
Many natural gas heaters run on propane, but it’s commonly used in remote rural areas where gas lines aren’t available. You can change any furnace’s gas valve to burn propane.
In a standard split system, you get air from the outside and heat or cool it through the vents, then you get treated air in your indoor areas. If you’re thinking about this option, you may hire a professional installer like DM Select Services – HVAC Arlington VA and other trusted companies in Virginia to take care of your needs.
2. Hybrid Heat Pump System
In a hybrid HVAC system, a heat pump with an electrical motor is deployed in combination with an interior furnace utilizing either natural gas, fuel, or propane. A heat pump is more than just a heating system because it can also be an air conditioner. A heat pump is essentially a type of air conditioner to heat your home; it keeps your home safe and comfortable year-round with just one system.
The furnace in these systems is used when the temperature drops below 40 degrees. It’s difficult to heat a home using a heat pump, so you need to heat your home using a furnace. Heat pumps take heat from the air outside and move it into your house during cold winter nights, so you won’t need a backup during this time.
Aside from applying ways to keep your home cool during the summer, using this hybrid heat pump gives you a soothing effect, and it can reduce your energy consumption too.
This kind of hybrid split systems should have the following components:
- A heat pump enabling the refrigerant to be heated and cooled
- An evaporator coil and a furnace for the conversion of refrigerant and circulation of air
- Ductwork to duct the air through your building
- System thermostat to adjust and control the temperature
- Optimal air quality improvement through added equipment
3. Dual Fuel System
A dual fuel system pumps heat when outdoor temperatures rise above freezing. In the summer, the system switches seamlessly to convert air. As mentioned, furnaces and heat pumps generally offer the same pros and cons. Additionally, dual fuel systems provide more efficient heating in cold climates. However, the cost of a heat pump or AC & furnace system is cheaper than a dual fuel system’s price.
4. Ductless Mini-Split Heat Pump
HVAC systems without ducts can be used in spaces where mechanical ducts wouldn’t be compatible. Installing ductless mini-split HVAC units in your home is an efficient and eco-friendly method as each outdoor unit can be used in conjunction with up to four indoor units or areas.
The following would be present in ductless mini-split systems:
- Outdoor heat pumps containing the compressor and condenser
- Compact fan coils
- Refrigerant tubes and wires to create a direct connection between the outdoor unit and the coil
- Control panel or thermostat
- Accessories to improve air quality before it’s circulated through the house
5. Boiler With Heat And AC System
Boiler systems are available in many countries and are popular amongst homeowners, although they’re more expensive. It’s possible to find electric, gas, and oil boilers; however, electric units require higher operating costs unless used for minimal heating. Some steam boilers still exist, but they usually produce only hot water. Tubes in the subfloor radiate heat up through the floor because the boiler circulates steam through pipes.
Conclusion
Having adequate knowledge about air conditioning and heating system types is important to know what units to use. If you want to learn more, you can talk to an HVAC professional about the procedures needed. Consider this list in buying and installing to ensure having the best system for your home.