HVAC 101: Learn the Different Types of HVAC Systems

16-Learn-the-Different-Types-of-HVAC-Systems

If you are a home or business owner, installing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems is probably on your to-do list. There are many different types of HVAC systems that can get quite complicated if you’re not familiar with the terminology. In this article, we’ll be discussing five of the most common types of residential and commercial HVAC units. Once you understand what type of unit fits your needs best, contact a local AC company for installation.

What is a Residential HVAC Unit?

A residential HVAC unit is a single- or multi-stage heating and cooling system installed in a home, condo, townhome, etc. Residential units are available in several different sizes and types of configurations. The more common residential units include floor, wall, window, packaged, and ductless mini-split systems.

What is a Commercial HVAC Unit?

Commercial HVAC units are used in large buildings to heat and cool multiple rooms at once. Many commercial HVAC systems use one large outdoor compressor with many smaller indoor AC coils to distribute the conditioned air throughout the building. Some of the most common commercial HVAC systems include:

All five of these major categories can be found in a large commercial building. However, there are many different types of commercial HVAC units available on the market today.

What Are the Benefits of a Residential HVAC Installation?

The number one benefit of installing a residential HVAC unit is comfort. When your home is too hot or cold, you cannot be comfortable no matter how nice your furniture is! Professional installation ensures that your HVAC system will be properly sized and configured to deliver maximum efficiency and performance for years to come. The installation process will also include necessary safety features to keep everyone in your family safe.

Additional benefits of residential HVAC installation include:

  • Improved indoor air quality
  • Lower energy costs over time

The Cons of Residential HVAC Installation

The major con of installing a residential HVAC unit is the upfront cost. Most homeowners will need to take out a loan or credit line to pay for the entire installation process. The best way to avoid this is by having an HVAC company provide financing as part of your total installation fee.

Another con of installing a residential HVAC system on your own is improperly sizing and configuring the unit. A properly sized and configured unit will deliver maximum efficiency and performance over time, which means lower energy costs and increased comfort. However, if you don’t know what you’re doing (or if you’re guessing), you may end up with:

  • An oversized AC unit that cannot effectively cool the home
  • A low S.EH.V.A.C unit that cannot effectively heat the home
  • An improperly sized air duct system can lead to energy loss and decreased comfort

What are the Benefits of a Commercial HVAC Installation?

Commercial HVAC units offer huge energy savings compared to older systems or smaller residential units. These large commercial units can save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars each month on energy bills. For example, an old apartment building may have 20 individual AC units that cool each room individually. A new commercial system may use one large outdoor compressor with many smaller indoor coils to condition the entire building at once. This would be much more efficient than having 20 different AC systems running at once!

Most commercial HVAC system installations include several air handlers for maximum comfort and efficiency. Some other benefits of installing a commercial HVAC unit include:

  • Occupancy schedule controls for maximum comfort
  • Carbon monoxide detectors to ensure safety
  • Ductless systems for reduced installation costs
  • Digital thermostats for precise temperature control

Why Professional Installation is So Important

What are the Cons of Commercial HVAC Installation?

The major con of installing a commercial HVAC unit is the upfront cost. Many large commercial buildings will need to take out a loan or credit line in order to purchase and install one of these large systems. In addition, many commercial HVAC units require ductwork to be installed throughout the building. This can add additional costs to your initial installation fee.

Another con of installing a commercial HVAC system on the homeowners own is improperly sizing and configuring the unit. A properly sized and configured unit will deliver maximum efficiency and performance over time, which means lower energy costs and increased comfort. However, if you don’t know what you’re doing (or if you’re guessing), you may end up with:

  • A unit that cannot effectively do the job
  • An oversized unit that wastes energy and costs more to operate
  • A duct system that cannot properly circulate conditioned air throughout the building

Contractors and homeowners should always keep their installation costs in mind. If a professional HVAC installer is charging too much, consider shopping around for a better price while ensuring quality service. Here’s a list of questions you should ask any potential contractors before you hire them:

1. Does your company have insurance? What kind? How can I verify your claims?

2. Do you have any references from other installations in this area/size home/building?

3. Have you ever been cited or fined by the Better Business Bureau or similar organization for deceptive marketing practices or consumer fraud?

4. How far in advance do I need to schedule the installation? Will you be able to stick to this timeline?

5. Do you offer a warranty on parts and labor? What is covered under the terms of your warranty? Do you require a deposit or partial payment before beginning work or full payment before installation is complete?

During the HVAC installation process, an expert technician will make sure your unit is properly sized and configured for maximum efficiency. With each passing year, new technology in HVAC systems gives homeowners more options with their residential or commercial HVAC units. For example, installing a ductless mini-split system is an efficient way to cool your entire home without running any ductwork.

Installing one large outdoor compressor with multiple indoor coils can provide individualized comfort settings, no matter if there are ten people in your house or 100! This type of installation also allows you to choose where you want each part of the split system to go–no unnecessary air conditioning in rooms that don’t get used often! These are just two examples of the possibility of enhanced efficiency with your HVAC unit.

But it gets even more complicated! Today’s modern HVAC systems are smarter than ever before. This means that they come with a variety of bells and whistles that will make your life easier–settings to lower energy bills, automated temperature controls based on occupancy schedules, etc. However, if you want this technology, it needs to be professionally installed. You cannot install a WiFi-connected thermostat yourself or add new parts to an existing system without calling a professional technician. Unfortunately, DIY can actually be dangerous. Without proper knowledge and tools, you could actually make the performance of your system worse!

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