With the abundance of options for HVAC systems, making a final decision can get a bit overwhelming. Various aspects, such as the size of your house and your lifestyle, all come into play. Knowing how these heating and air conditioning products operate will allow you to install the units that best meet your home’s needs.
Which Type of Heating & Air Conditioning System Do You Need?
Air Conditioners & Furnaces
An air conditioner is the most common cooling system. It uses compressed refrigerant to collect heat from inside the home and transfer it outside. It’s often paired with a furnace to keep the house warm in the colder months. A furnace uses electricity, gas, or propane to create heat, which is then pushed through ducts throughout your home.
This combination is often the preferred heating and cooling method for those living in colder regions. Also, as each unit is only required for half the year, they tend to last longer than heat pumps.
Heat Pumps
It’s easy to confuse heat pumps with air conditioners because they work very similarly. The main difference between the two is that a heat pump contains a reverse valve that pulls heat from the outdoors and transfers it indoors to also warm the home.
While these systems are very effective in moderate parts of the country, they become less efficient in areas that regularly dip below freezing during the winter and require extra heating assistance. In these areas, a geothermal heat pump would be more appropriate. They have a higher efficiency rating and are better equipped to heat a home on the coldest days of the year.
Ductless Split System
Instead of relying on ductwork to heat or cool an entire property all at once, ductless mini-split systems operate on a room-by-room or zone basis. An outdoor unit disperses pressurized refrigerant to one or more indoor units placed strategically throughout the home to make cooling and heating it more energy efficient. These units are ideal for older homes without ducts, outdated ducts, inefficient insulation, and multi-story or bigger homes with several rooms regularly going unused.
When you need help updating your home’s heating and air conditioning system, contact the experts at Jon’s Plumbing & Heating in Mount Vernon, OH. For two decades, Jon’s has provided quality plumbing and HVAC services to Knox, Ashland, and Richland counties. They install energy efficient products that meet or exceed ENERGY STAR® ratings and are a recognized Armstrong® Comfort Team and Pro Team dealer. Call them today at (740) 392-5667 to discuss your heating and cooling needs, and visit their website to learn more about their affordable products and services.