Buying a new HVAC system for your home

If you have made the decision to install a new HVAC system in your home, you have made a wise choice. This is especially true if you are replacing an older system with a newer alternative, as the cost savings from energy efficiency and lower maintenance can quickly add up.

In this guide, we look at the HVAC systems available to make your home a more comfortable, climate neutral environment. 

How to choose between HVAC systems

The first step to understanding the difference between HVAC systems is to find out a little about each of the options. These include split heating and cooling systems, ductless options, or hybrids. Each option has a specific use case depending on the climate, the size of the property, and the number of people living in the household. 

Some factors can also play to your advantage even before you commission professional air conditioning services. If your property has existing ducts that can be used, this is already a plus. 

Split HVAC systems can be a cost-effective way of combining heating and cooling. By doing so, you can utilize the same network of ducts for providing warmth and cool. Cooling systems reside outdoors, and work by harnessing a network of compressors and coils to efficiently cool warm air. By running warm air from the outside through a compound called refrigerant, AC units essentially turn warm air into colder air. 

These split systems also utilize a simple thermostat to regulate the temperature. This allows the user to determine the temperature across the house, often with specific control panels located in different rooms. 

Hybrid systems

A modern development, hybrid systems utilize existing furnaces to create a combined cooling and heating system. By leveraging existing infrastructure, hybrids make excellent value for money for many homeowners. 

Although they do not work in every environment, hybrid systems are effective in areas with milder winters. This is because the heat pump aspect can draw sufficient warmer air to function in this milder environment, whereas it would struggle in harsher winter conditions. In short, in places that experience severe winters, a more specific source of heat will be required to provide warmth for the entire winter season.  

There are even HVAC systems available that do not require ducts. These systems are perfect in properties where installing heavy duty duct systems is not viable. This includes smaller apartments, outbuildings or converted garages. Without the use of ducts, this type of HVAC system can provide specific heating or cooling to those trickier areas of a home.

Weighing up the pros and cons of different HVAC systems

An air conditioning service near you can talk you through the pros and cons of each option. With your budget in mind, they can explain the detailed considerations of each option. 

Try to look longer term when you are evaluating your investment. Although it can be tempting to look at the initial cost of the hardware as the main expense, cheaper units can often lead to much more expensive energy costs. In this scenario, after a few months, any saving you made on your initial investment can seem like ancient history. 

In short, HVAC units are no different to many other forms of technology – you get what you pay for. Although there are entry level units available from as little as $2,500, it is much more advisable to opt for a better quality unit if your budget permits. As an option to fund this, you could look into a loan or a grant – these are often available for greener AC units that reduce your household’s carbon footprint. 

These systems create energy savings by only cooling or heating rooms that you designate. Instead of controlling the climate of your entire home, this allows a focus only on the rooms that are really needed. You should also factor ongoing maintenance into the cost calculation of your new system. If your older system is out of warranty and requiring more regular maintenance, the costs for this can quickly add up. 

The best piece of advice when looking into a new HVAC system is to seek the help of a professional. This gives you full peace of mind, and will likely secure you a better long term investment.