Most people can’t tell you much about their AC or heater except whether it’s working. You likely suspected that not all Charleston, SC, home heating and cooling systems are identical. Still, most people don’t realize just how many different types of hvac systems there are to choose from if you install an HVAC system into a new house or fully replace an old heating/cooling system.
While sometimes grouped into 4 basic categories of hvac systems based on function, in the HVAC business, we commonly work with five different hvac systems. There are five main hvac system types for heating and cooling homes to choose from:
- Furnace & Air Conditioner
- Heat Pump
- Furnace & Heat Pump
- Ductless Mini-Split
- Geothermal Heat Pump
These five types of hvac make up most of what is installed in most homes and commercial buildings. Let’s dive into how they work and why you might choose each system for your Charleston, SC property HVAC installation.
- Furnace & Air Conditioner
The traditional combination of the furnace and air conditioner is one of the most utilized types of hvac units in heating and cooling homes in the United States. This combination works by drawing in air from the home’s interior and distributing the conditioned air through ductwork. Through this process (also called “forced air”), the home can be heated or cooled throughout.
Furnaces can run on propane, oil, natural gas, or electricity, while air conditioners primarily run on electricity.
- Heat Pump
Air-source heat pumps are another major type of hvac system, making up the country’s fastest-growing segment of the residential HVAC market. An electric heat pump is a more efficient option than an electric furnace in the event electricity is the only energy source available. The heat pump moves heat instead of generating energy from a combustible fuel source. This process allows for the most efficient performance, especially with moderate temperatures. Heat pumps also work in reverse, providing central air conditioning during the year’s hottest months.
- Furnace & Heat Pump
A furnace and heat pump combination represents a hybrid, dual-fuel heating system (a distinct hvac type). During mild weather, the heat pump keeps your home comfortable while producing low heating bills. As the temperature moves toward freezing, the gas-fired furnace provides supplemental heat, preventing resorting to the less efficient electric resistance heater that typically serves as the backup heating source.
- Ductless Mini-Split
Ductless mini-splits have become more popular over the years. This system is a specific type of hvac unit that can provide heating and cooling all year. Units that are wall-mounted inside of your home have a built-in air handler. Because of its effectiveness and composition, this eliminates the need for any ductwork.
Outdoor units can connect to multiple indoor air handlers for whole-home comfort. Mini-splits can also maintain a comfortable temperature in a single room or home add-on.
- Geothermal Heat Pump
Last is one of the most advanced hvac system types: Geothermal Heat Pump. Perhaps the coolest possible of HVAC systems is also – understandably – the rarest. Geothermal means taking heat from the earth itself. These heat pumps are the most energy-efficient, environmentally friendly HVAC system available. Like air-source heat pumps, the system is designed to move heat rather than generate it from an energy source.
This works by transferring heat back and forth from the ground rather than from the air outside. The most significant selling point for geothermal HVAC is that it requires the least external power requirements like fuel or electricity.
Installation requires the review of local zoning ordinances and state and federal laws before execution. This will involve burying a loop of pipes in the surrounding property.
Choosing and Maintaining Your HVAC System
Understanding these types of hvac systems is the first step. Which one is the right choice for your new home, replaced system, or business property? Choosing correctly is important, but equally crucial is maintaining whichever system you have. Proper care helps prevent common issues regardless of the hvac type, such as your AC unit freezing up, developing musty odors, making alarming hissing sounds, or running constantly on hot days. Contact us today for the HVAC installation and maintenance services your Charleston, SC property needs
Installation requires the review of local zoning ordinances and state and federal laws before execution. This will involve burying a loop of pipes in the surrounding property.
Which HVAC system is the right choice for your new home, replaced system, or business property? Contact us today for HVAC installation services your Charleston, SC property needs