Types of HVAC Systems

Have you recently carried out an energy efficiency assessment of your home? If so, there is no better time to decide which HVAC system is best suited for your home. Modern systems will provide you with more options than earlier models including numerous stages of cooling and heating as well as varying fan speeds.

Single or Multi-Stage Heating and Cooling Systems

A single stage heating or cooling system means that your air conditioner or furnace only has a single level of cold or heat output. Single-stage heating and cooling systems are more popular in places where the weather is at extremes. You will find them in places that have hot and humid seasons and cold winters. Single-stage heating systems are designed to provide as much comfort as possible in extreme weather conditions. Unfortunately, this means that for the most part the HVAC unit is operating at full capacity, even when it does not have to. This is what sets apart a multi-stage heating and cooling system. With a multi-stage, you are able to vary the amount of heat or cold output. So, if you live in an area where you don’t experience extreme weather conditions or you do but on particular days you experience moderate weather, you can adjust how much output is needed hence saving you money. The levels of heating and cooling you can choose vary from one thermostat model to the next.

Zoned HVAC Systems

This refers to heating and cooling units that are able to either cool or heat parts of your home separately. This is achieved by controlling zone dampers or zone valves inside the ductwork or vents. By using zoned units, you will significantly cut down on your energy costs. Humidity Control Systems If you live in a very humid or dry climate, humidifiers and dehumidifiers definitely should be on your list. Using these HVAC units, you are able to control the level of humidity in your home and bring it either up or down to 50%, which is the recommended amount. Unfortunately, you cannot use humidifier and dehumidifier units using forced-water heating systems. If you have a humidifier or dehumidifier unit installed into the air conditioning or furnace, you will not be able to control the humidity levels unless you turn on the system. The alternative is to add separate humidifier/dehumidifier units.

Heating HVAC Systems

Modern heating systems easily achieve 97% efficiency and are able to convert almost all the fuel into heat that can be used in your home. Heating systems can be categorized into two broad groups including:

• Furnaces

Furnaces distribute heated air using ductwork. Most furnaces use propane or natural gas for fuel. However, there are also all-electric furnaces.

• Forced water systems

Forced water heating systems use a boiler as a heat source. The heated water is then distributed throughout the house by either zone valves or circulator pumps. Alternatively, instead of using furnaces or forced water systems, you can use electric heat pumps to either cool or heat different parts of your home. If you are concerned that your furnace is using too much fuel, you can use a heat pump to reduce costs. Another type of heating unit is hydronic heating systems or radiant floors, which involve having pipes installed beneath the floor. Flexible tubes are filled with a glycol solution or water which in turn heats the floor. Hydronic heating systems require a heat pump or boiler in order to work. Cooling HVAC Systems Air conditioning units are used to cool most homes across the United States. In fact, according to the Residential Energy Consumption Survey of 2009, 87% of American homes were equipped with an AC unit. These numbers have certainly grown over time. There are 4 different types of air conditioners:

• Window Air Conditioner

This is the most widely used air conditioner for single rooms. Unlike with other kinds of air conditioners, components found in the window air conditioner are all contained in one box. That is, the condenser, compressor, cooling coil and expansion valve. As the name indicates, it is usually installed on a windowsill.

• Mini-Split Air Conditioner

The mini-split air conditioner comprises two parts; the indoor unit and the outdoor unit. This system can have multiple zones throughout the house and the indoor air handlers can be wall mounted, ceiling mounted, or floor mounted. Unlike with the window air conditioner, you don’t need to make a slot in the wall for installation. Mini-split air conditioners only require a small hole through the wall to run the copper line set and the system can be used to cool more than one room separately. See the Mitsubishi MZ-GL09NA 9,000 BTU 24.6 SEER Ductless Mini-Split System

• Packaged Air Conditioner

Packaged air conditioners are best suited for cooling large spaces either at home or at the office. The entire unit is placed outside and is connected to the ductwork running throughout the building. The GOODMAN 2 TON 14 SEER MULTI-POSITION PACKAGED AIR CONDITIONER qualifies for free shipping.

• Central Air Conditioning System

Central air-conditioning systems are the most versatile as they can be used to cool various spaces including gyms, entire hotels, offices, houses, factories, and movie theatres. A central air conditioning system includes one huge compressor which is capable of producing tons of air conditioning.