Are you planning on buying or replacing your HVAC system?
Before you buy, it’s wise to learn more about the different types of HVAC systems. It allows you to determine the right type for your home.
This guide will cover everything you need to know about various HVAC systems. We also included tips on how to decide when to go shopping for the best home HVAC system. Continue reading now to get the basics of how HVAC systems work.
How Does an HVAC System Work?
Before understanding different types of HVAC systems, let’s talk about how they work. It is a mechanical system that regulates the temperature and air quality through ventilation.
An HVAC system removes or adds heat into the environment. In warm climates or weather, the system will absorb heat and transfer it to the outdoor unit. The warm gas in the outdoor unit will go to the compressor and turn into a liquid refrigerant.
It then passes through a condenser and evaporator coil. These parts convert the liquid into cool air. It will then go back into the home through the vents and air ducts.
Do you want to understand how condensers in an HVAC system work? Click here to see an ultimate guide to condensers.
In cold climates or temperatures, an HVAC system will warm up the environment using a heat pump. It absorbs heat from outside and distributes it inside the home or room. Some HVAC units use an electric or gas furnace to create heat.
Heating and Cooling Split Systems
The first and most common type is the heating and cooling split system. This type of HVAC system uses two separate systems. One will help cool your home, while the other will warm it up.
A model that uses this type of system often has an indoor and outdoor unit. It’s typical for the indoor unit to contain a furnace. You’ll often find this furnace in the basement, crawlspace, garage, attic, or utility closet.
The outdoor unit is often a central air conditioner. It’s where you’ll find its compressors, refrigerants, and coils. This half often stays up during summer since it pushes cool air into the home or room.
Should You Get a Split System?
The split system is popular because it’s efficient and cost-effective. It’s the best choice for homeowners that live in areas that don’t need extreme cooling or heating. Plus, replacing the existing duct system is easy, but it can be expensive.
If you want to save on energy, this is the type of HVAC system that you should get.
It’s especially great in regions with warm climates. The heat pump doesn’t need to generate heat. Instead, it will absorb ambient heat and circulate it through the air ducts.
The drawback of using a split system is its forced-air system. It disperses dust, allergens, and kitchen odors around your home. If you have allergies, using this type of HVAC can be risky.
Duct-Free or Mini-Split System
The next type is the ductless or mini-split system. Ductless systems use various inside units in each room. You’ll mount each unit on your walls and connect them to a compressor.
At most, you can get four indoor air handling units for every outdoor unit. It allows for better control over the independent units. It’s the type of cooling system that most hotels and apartments use.
Should You Get a Mini-Split System?
If you have a house with unused rooms, a mini-split system is a fitting choice. Because it has installable units, you can limit them in the rooms that you use. It will help save more on your energy bill.
Because it doesn’t use ducts, the mini-split system is great for areas where ducts aren’t ideal. If you have a new room or area added to the house, it’s a good solution as well. For example, you have a new garage or turned a storage room into a bedroom.
The problem with this system is that it’s not practical in cold climates. If you want a mini-split system in a cold climate area, you’ll spend much more. The maintenance can also be quite expensive.
Packaged Heating and Air Conditioning System
Do you want an HVAC unit that combines both the heating and air unit in one machine? The best HVAC system for you is a packaged heating and air conditioning system. A packaged system gathers every vital part in a single unit, such as:
- Compressor
- Condenser
- Evaporator
Because everything is in one unit, it’s smaller and more compact. You’ll often see the unit installed on the roof or near the foundation. From there, it will do both the heating and cooling of the house.
Should You Get a Packaged System?
The packaged system is the best choice for homeowners with small houses. Plus, they’re not as noisy because the unit is outside the house. The problem is that this type of system is less heat-efficient with fewer options.
Hybrid Split System
The final entry in the HVAC system options is the hybrid split system. The system resembles the split HVAC system. After all, hybrid and traditional split systems need ducts.
You still need a thermostat to control the cooling or heating of the home. The difference is in the hybrid’s heating system. It gives the homeowner the choice to use gas or electricity.
Should You Get a Hybrid Split System?
The average American household member consumes 877 kWh per month or 10,649 kWh per year. If you want to lower your annual energy consumption, using the hybrid split system is your best choice. It’s also efficient if you live in an area where the climate often changes.
Find the Right Type of HVAC Systems for Your Home
We hope you enjoyed learning about the various types of HVAC systems. Remember that deciding from the different home HVAC systems depends on your needs. Also, consider your budget and space in your home.
For more educational and informative content, see our other guides.
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