HVAC System Buying Guide

HVAC systems are indispensable to a comfortable environment in any Bay Area house. No matter which climatic region you live in, HVAC systems make the indoor atmosphere pleasant by maintaining suitable temperature and humidity. Even in Northern California this is critical.

When you are installing an HVAC system in a new house or if you plan to upgrade, you might be confused with all the variety available in the market. Certain systems might be tempting due to low prices, additional warranties, or other features.

But HVAC systems are a big investment and they are going to be used for many years, so you need to ensure that you pick the right system. If you purchase one that does not fulfill your home requirements, you will end up spending a lot on maintenance and utility bills.

Here is an HVAC system buying guide to help you make the correct choice.

1. Ductwork Inspection

Before you even choose an HVAC system, you need to get the ductwork of your house inspected. Hire a professional contractor who can check the ducts for leakages or poorly sealed joints. Bad ductwork will greatly reduce the efficiency of your HVAC system leading to a lot of energy loss. Get the ductwork cleaned, repaired, and cleared of any debris before you get your system working.

2. Purchase of AC and Furnace

Your HVAC system will function well if you choose the right air conditioner and furnace. There are many new choices available in the markets that are not heavy on the pocket, come in various sizes and most importantly, are very energy efficient; bringing down your bills and helping save the environment.

There are three basic types of air handlers that make your furnace highly efficient. Single state air handlers run at just one speed- maximum. This keeps the motors running at high speed continuously, wasting precious energy. Two stage air handlers are preferable as they have a low and a high speed setting, so that you can utilize the maximum speed only when a large amount of warm air is required. Variable speed air handlers are the most convenient and cost-effective as you can choose the speed you want the air handlers to run at.

When it comes to air conditioners, a unit with a high SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) should be chosen. Getting an AC with a SEER rating higher than 16, a variable speed scroll compressor and an aluminum evaporator coil will help control noise, wastage of energy and corrosion.

3. Heat Pumps

If you do not live in a region of extreme climatic conditions, you could also opt for a heat pump that provides both heating and cooling, and reduces your utility bill by almost 40%.

4. Size

One of the most crucial factors for HVAC system efficiency is the size of your system. If you install one that is too big, it will keep shutting down and restarting. If you get one that is smaller than what you need, it will have to run over-time. This will cause damage of parts and frequent need for repairs.