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Getting a new HVAC unit is a hefty investment into your home. The perfect system should provide excellent indoor comfort, maintain good indoor air quality, and make your residence more energy efficient. Still, not everyone knows how to compare HVAC systems to make the best decisions for their new heating, cooling, and ventilation unit.
SM Mechanical Services LLC is West Hartford’s trusted HVAC company with more than 15 years of experience providing excellent furnace and AC system installations. Our fully insured and licensed company understands the importance of investing in the best HVAC system for a property’s specific needs. Remember these considerations to make an informed decision about your new heating and cooling equipment.
1. HVAC System Type
The first step in learning how to compare HVAC units is to understand what types of systems are available, which include:
- Air Conditioners: Air conditioners will keep your home cool by removing heat and moisture from indoor air with refrigerant that flows from an indoor and outdoor unit.
- Furnaces: Furnaces are essential in Connecticut to keep properties warm all winter. Electric furnaces are the most common options, but you could install gas, propane, or oil furnaces depending on their availability in your community.
- Heat Pumps: Heat pumps work like air conditioners, but their airflow is reversible to warm homes during the winter and cool them during the summer. Air-source heat pumps transfer air indoors from outdoor air, and geothermal units draw heat from the earth.
- Ductless Mini Splits: These systems create single or multiple zones with individual thermostats to adjust temperatures in one or more rooms. Mini-splits are most suitable for homes or offices without ductwork.
- Boilers: Gas, electric, and oil boilers effectively heat homes using radiant heat.
2. Unit Size
You shouldn’t install an HVAC system based on size alone. Always consider equipment size in relation to the heating and cooling capacity (BTUs) your home needs.
Capacity is a system’s ability to remove, add, or transport warm or cool air throughout a building. British Thermal Units is the unit of measurement for HVAC system capacity.
The greater the BTU rating, the better its capacity. Still, you’ll need an experienced contractor to assess your home and determine its ideal capacity to ensure heating and cooling efficiency.
3. Maintenance Requirements
All HVAC equipment needs annual maintenance to keep it running at its optimal levels and prolong its lifespan. Many professional heating and cooling companies offer yearly air conditioning and furnace tune-ups as part of their maintenance services.
You can schedule tune-ups for your heating system in the fall and services for your AC in the spring. Beyond these annual tune-ups, you should care for your new HVAC system by performing the following tasks throughout the year:
- Changing air filters once every three months
- Changing oil filters on oil-based furnaces and boilers
- Sealing ductwork and drafty windows to prevent air leaks
- Keeping air vents open to prevent an HVAC-damaging pressure buildup
4. Fuel Sources
Every home won’t have access to all fuel sources, so your location and ability to install lines for natural gas may affect your HVAC system options. For instance, air conditioners and heat pumps rely on electricity, which is readily available for most homes. Yet, installing a gas furnace in a house without a gas line would require additional equipment and higher installation costs to make the fuel source readily available to the property.
5. Price
Your ultimate goal for installing a new HVAC system might be to optimize your indoor comfort, but you don’t want to exceed your budget. New equipment is a significant investment, and some options are more costly than others. Still, that doesn’t mean the cheapest option is always the best.
Consider factors like energy efficiency, equipment durability, fuel sources, and capacity when budgeting for a new heating and cooling system. HVAC replacement involves more than buying the equipment and paying a contractor to install it. Repairs and energy expenses also contribute to your system’s efficiency, so they should also be factors in your budget-making decisions.
6. Sound Levels
Most heating and cooling equipment make noise while they work. Though you should never hear loud banging or clanking, the hum from a well-functioning HVAC system could be distracting. As you make your contractor selection, consult with them about your concerns about noise to ensure you select an appropriate system that won’t produce too much noise.
7. Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Components and Warranties
Ventilation is a critical aspect of any HVAC system. It’s always best to choose a system that offers outstanding air filtration to keep your property’s air clean by trapping airborne allergens and pollutants like dust and pollen. Other IAQ components include UV lights to kill microbes and modulating furnaces with two-stage burners that offer better air filtration.
As you compare HVAC systems, consider their warranties. Reliable HVAC equipment brands back up their products with warranties that cover defects and repairs for a specific time. Each brand has warranty terms, so compare them to know what brands expect with their equipment.
8. Programmable Thermostat Compatibility
Programmable thermostats can help you maximize your system’s efficiency and maintain excellent temperature control, leading to increased comfort and energy savings. These devices let you program them to change temperature settings according to your schedule. When learning how to compare HVAC systems, don’t forget to consider units that pair well with modern thermostats.
Trust SM Mechanical Services LLC for Your HVAC Installation Needs
Since you now know how to compare HVAC systems, count on the specialists at SM Mechanical Services LLC to help you pick the right heating and cooling unit and handle its installation from beginning to end. Our HVAC crew strives to exceed expectations by delivering comprehensive services and quality work using top-grade products.
As a BBB-accredited company with an A+ rating and close to 200 five-star reviews, our skills and services stand far above others. Call SM Mechanical Services LLC in West Hartford, CT, at (860) 530-2632 to install a new high-efficiency HVAC system.