Four Ways To Maximize Efficiency And Comfort When Installing A New HVAC System
Getting a new HVAC system installed gives you a good opportunity to make sure the rest of your home is as efficient as can be. Combine this with additional features available with modern air conditioners and heaters to get an HVAC system that costs less to run, keeps you more comfortable, and can even keep you safer.
Use a Variable-Speed System
With single-stage HVAC systems, on and off are your only options. Variable-speed systems let your air conditioner and furnace run at different speeds depending on your needs and preferences. For example, this can let you run your heater constantly at a lower speed than switching it on and off constantly, which can make for more stable temperatures. This also means that during periods of milder temperatures, your system won't need to run on full power. The tradeoff for this greater flexibility is that variable-speed systems are a little more pricey, but can be well worth the additional cost.
Install Mini Ducts
Mini ducts are a different kind of duct system that use small tubes to carry hot and cold air through your house. These ducts are more energy-efficient than even brand new traditional ducts, and their smaller size gives you more options as to where you want them to run, such as in between walls and under floors. These also tend to be a little more pricey than traditional options, but they could be an excellent option for your home, especially if your house was built in such a way that traditional ducts wouldn't work as well.
Get an Energy Audit
Your HVAC system will only be as efficient as your home allows it to be, so if you have leaks, failing insulation, or other issues, all the efficiency of your new system will be diminished. An energy audit can help you find the areas of your house that are drafty, leaking air, or need to be reinsulated. Having these improvements taken care of in tandem with the installation of your new HVAC system will make it work as well as it possibly can and make the difference in your energy bills even more noticeable.
Explore Air Purification Options
Modern HVAC systems can come with a variety of additional features, and one of those is air purification options. While air filters do this to an extent, you can take extra measures by installing components like UV lights to reduce the spread of germs, mold, and other bacteria. Similarly, you can install a whole-house air purifier. These often use multi-step filtration processes to clean your air much more than a standard air filter could. These are especially beneficial for people with severe allergies or weakened immune systems. If you have particular concerns that you think these systems might be able to address, talk to an HVAC installation expert to see if they would be able to benefit you.