Benefits of Using One HVAC System for Heating and Cooling
The term HVAC stands for “heating, ventilation, and air conditioning,” which, of course, are all separate systems doing different tasks in your home. Even though you’ll hear people refer to your “HVAC system,” as if it were one unit, it’s usually multiple pieces of machinery that do the work of heating and cooling your home by way of a complex system of ducts.
These days, however, modern technology has allowed HVAC units to become far more streamlined than they have ever been before. Whereas traditional HVAC units consisted of separate heating and cooling systems, today’s technology is more advanced and has managed to combine these seemingly dissimilar systems into one.
Is there really a tangible benefit to doing this, though? Why opt for one HVAC system for both heating and cooling? Read on to find out:
How an All-in-One HVAC System Works
There are several ways you can combine your heating and cooling into one compact unit. A heat pump is one of the most popular ways to do this. Instead of utilizing a complex system of compressors, furnaces, and ducts, it simply makes use of heat that is already present in the environment. If it’s a cold day, the heat pump can move warmth from the outside in. Conversely, on a hot day, it can move heat energy from inside the home to outside, cooling the house down in the process.
Some of these all-in-one systems are also ductless, meaning they pump hot or cold air directly into the home, bypassing the need for a complex duct system. There are a number of benefits to this.
An All-in-One HVAC System Takes Up Less Space
Most homes will have an air conditioning unit somewhere outside, and a furnace for heating somewhere inside the home. Furnaces, in particular, take up a lot of space, so they’re often squirreled away in a basement or other large room. But not every home has the same amount of space to utilize; smaller houses and apartments, for example, may not have room for both an air conditioner and a furnace.
An all-in-one HVAC system takes up much less room in the home, allowing you to enjoy the benefits of heating and cooling even if you don’t have a basement. Often, they can be relegated to a small cabinet or other tiny, out-of-the-way spot.
They Can Save Money on Your Energy Bill
A big reason heating and cooling can become so expensive is that traditional systems are inefficient. That is to say, if you find that you’re cold while you are sitting in the living room, and you turn the heat on, your heater will usually begin heating the entire house. This might be okay if you’re planning to have the run of the house, but it may also be that you really do intend to stay in one room for the time being. Even so, you are still paying to heat up every other room in the home.
All-in-one systems that heat, cool, and even regulate humidity can also often isolate their work to one room of the home. This is usually the case with “ductless” HVAC systems. You only pay to heat the rooms that are in use at the time. This can lead to huge savings when the time comes to pay the bills.
They Can Lead to Improved Air Quality
The ducts in your home are the system of pipes through which air circulates. Over time, these ducts will develop a buildup of dust and dirt, which will eventually cause them to become clogged. When this happens, they’ll become far less efficient at filtering out dust particles and other impurities. This will reduce the air quality in the home and can lead to allergies and other health problems.
Because many of these all-in-one systems are ductless, you can largely avoid the problems associated with unclean ductwork. This can improve the air quality in your home immensely.
They Are Versatile
Not every all-in-one HVAC unit is ductless, of course. They may still utilize ductwork to distribute heating, cooling, and ventilation throughout the home. All-in-one HVAC systems are also noteworthy for their versatility. They can work in small homes, as well as large homes, just as there are versions that can work well in homes with or without ductwork. This versatility allows nearly every homeowner to consider these types of packaged systems.
How Do I Get One Installed in My Home?
To discover if an all-in-one HVAC system is right for your home, your first step should be to find a reputable HVAC company. If you live in the Portland area, Entek HVAC is one of your best choices. They will be able to send a technician to your home to help you decide if you need a new heating and cooling system and help you decide if an all-in-one system is your best option.
In some cases, your HVAC professional may advise you that an all-in-one system may not be your best option. This could be the case, for example, if you live in an area that gets extremely cold during the winter. Often, all-in-one heat pumps struggle to generate enough heat to deal with a serious freeze. If so, you may need a more powerful gas furnace or other hotter burning system.
Regardless of what your heating and cooling look like, your HVAC professional will also be able to perform preventative maintenance. Systems malfunctioning due to poor maintenance often prove to be a huge cost for homeowners, but regular checkups can largely prevent them from taking place. Regular cleanings and occasional repairs will save you a great deal of money no matter what HVAC system you choose to use in your home.