As a homeowner, you always want the best equipment for your home, especially when it has to do with your home’s comfort. This is why choosing the right heating and cooling system is serious business. When it comes to choosing a heating and cooling system for your home, the options can be overwhelming. There are often so many things to consider, especially if it’s your first time buying an HVAC system for your home. The truth is that choosing the right HVAC system is a lot easier than it looks if you know what to look out for. In this article, you will find all the information you need to choose the perfect HVAC system.
The Big Question
If you are shopping for a new heating and cooling system for the first time, one of the most common questions that will probably pop into your head is “Heat Pump vs AC. What’s better?” and like mentioned earlier, the options can be overwhelming, but if you know what to look out for and how to look for it, you’ll find the heating and cooling system that’s just right for you. I’ll share some useful tips that will help make choosing an HVAC system for your home easy.
Always Check The Ratings
One of the best ways to figure out the right HVAC system for your home is to check the HVAC ratings. The ratings an HVAC system gets go a long way to determine your home’s comfort. Here are some of the ratings you need to look out for:
Average Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE)
The AFUE measures gas and oil-fired furnaces’ efficiency levels. You should only choose an HVAC system with an AFUE rating between 78% to 98.5%.
Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER)
The SEER measures the efficiency of air conditioners and heat pumps. The most important thing you should keep in mind is that the higher the SEER rating, the eco-friendlier it is. You should opt for an HVAC system with a SEER rating of 14 or above.
Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF)
This is the standard used to measure heat pumps’ heating efficiency. The higher the HSPF, the more the heat pump is. You should choose an HVAC system with an HSPF rating between 7.7 and 13.
Consider The Long-Term Costs
One thing you should keep in mind is that an HVAC system is a long-term investment. As such, you should always consider this before choosing an HVAC unit for your home. The bottom line is that most HVAC systems cost more upon purchase, but they save you a lot of money down the road. However, high-efficiency HVAC units can be quite pricey, so you need to consider your budget before making your purchasing decision.
Hire A Skilled Contractor
You may not know this, but a common reason why many new HVAC systems waste energy is that they are either wrongly installed or do not fit the size requirements of your home. This is why it is essential to always work with an experienced contractor when choosing and installing your HVAC system. You will also need a skilled contractor to help regularly maintain your unit over time.
Working with a good contractor also assures you that you will get the right size HVAC unit for your home. If you are having a hard time choosing the HVAC that’s right for you, a skilled contractor can help you figure that out. So, before you install your HVAC equipment, ensure that you have a qualified contractor available.
So, that’s it! Let’s take a quick recap of the top useful tips for choosing an HVAC system for your home:
- Always check the ratings – you should only choose an HVAC unit that has great ratings. The higher the ratings, the more efficient the HVAC unit will be.
- Consider the long-term costs – your budget is one of the most important things to consider when choosing an HVAC unit. You should opt for HVAC equipment that won’t burn a hole through your wallet over time.
- Hire a skilled contractor – working with a skilled contractor can save you a lot of costs. It will ensure that your HVAC unit is properly installed. This will also ensure that you get the right HVAC size for your home.
The bottom line is that choosing an HVAC system for your home isn’t as hard as you imagine. With the right tips to guide you, you’ll find that choosing the HVAC unit that’s right for your home is as easy as taking a walk in the park.
