What Types of HVAC Systems Should You Choose for Your Home?

When it comes to heating and cooling your home, there are two main types of HVAC systems to choose from: duct systems and ductless systems. Duct systems are the most common type of HVAC system, and they use air ducts to distribute treated air throughout the space. Ductless systems, on the other hand, lack air ducts and use alternative methods to distribute treated air. When deciding on the right HVAC system for your home, you should consider single-stage heating and cooling.

These systems are popular in colder winter climates and in warm and humid areas, respectively, because they are configured to provide comfort during the coldest or hottest days of the year. However, these systems operate at full capacity most of the time, which can be inefficient and costly. That's where a multi-stage system comes in handy and can save you energy and money. Zoned air conditioning systems can also be used to heat or cool individual areas of your home by controlling zone valves or zone dampers located inside vents or ducts.

This can save you energy and money by only heating or cooling certain areas when you need them. Additionally, humidifiers and dehumidifiers can be added as options to heating and cooling systems if you live in a very dry or humid climate.

Conventional Heating Systems

Modern conventional heating systems can achieve efficiencies of up to 97 percent, converting nearly all fuel into useful heat for your home. Radiant floors, or hydronic heating systems, often use pipes under the floor that are filled with water or a glycol solution to heat a concrete or other floor. These can be quite efficient and require a boiler or heat pump.

Additional Options

Excess radiators can also be removed, and modulating aquastats for hot water boilers adjust the temperature of the hot water to the outside temperature and can save 10 percent on fuel costs.

In addition, a delay relay for hot water boilers causes hot water to circulate through the system without turning on the boiler. An oil-fueled system can also benefit from a barometric damper that prevents too much heat from entering the chimney. Before deciding what type of HVAC system is right for your home, talk to a certified HVAC technician. Each of the types of HVAC units has advantages and disadvantages, so it's worth taking a second look at the types of HVAC units available.