The Best HVAC System for Your Home

When the weather hits extremes and your HVAC system is outdated, old, or just plain poor-performing, you probably feel the need for an urgent change — and wish you knew what kind of unit would best beat the temperatures. If you’re thinking of making a change, here’s what to know about the best heating and cooling systems for homes and how to find the one that’s right for you.

Types of Home Air Conditioning Systems

HVAC is short for heating ventilation and air conditioning, and while both the heating and cooling elements are grouped together as a system, they may employ vastly different methods for regulating your home’s temperature.

For instance, if you live in a northern climate, you may have a full ducted heating system, but rely solely on a scattering of window units for your air conditioning. Meanwhile, if you live in the south, a full central air system is a better option, as it can heat and cool the entire home more efficiently.

Generally, however, HVAC units fall into four types:

1. Split System

Units are described as “split systems” when they have portions of the unit installed in the exterior and interior of the home. The air conditioning unit will be used in combination with a furnace, making it an ideal choice if you already have a gas furnace installed in your home and are looking to upgrade to central air.

The outdoor part of the unit generally contains a fan, condenser, and compressor, while the internal unit houses the fan and evaporator.

2. Hybrid Heat Split System 

Heating oil can be expensive, depending on price fluctuations. It is also not that efficient. That’s why hybrid systems use both an electric heat pump and a furnace — the heat pump option allows you to rely on electrical heating (a much more energy-efficient alternative) and only switch to gas on extremely cold days.

These are a great choice for homes in temperate climates, but heat pumps also work hard in warmer weather, too. They help cool and dehumidify interiors. Beyond those distinctions, hybrid systems have a structure similar to split systems, with components housed indoors and out.

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3. Duct-Free Split System

Most HVAC systems use a network of ducts to spread heated or cooled air throughout your home. However, this system isn’t always ideal, especially in parts of your home off the main building (think garages and additions).

Ductless systems rely exclusively on a heat pump. They don’t suffer from the heating and cooling losses common with duct leaks, so they’re much more energy-efficient. One of the benefits of a ductless system? It could save the average homeowner $875 a year in lowered energy costs, per the U.S. Department of Energy.

Ductless systems also offer a more flexible alternative to traditional ducts and can be more readily installed in a home since there’s less work to do. Do you suffer from allergies or prefer your home be extra clean? The absence of ducts means less dust, pet hair, pollen, and other irritating substances are distributed through the air in your home.

They’re also safer, since they’re combustion-free and won’t give off carbon monoxide. The indoor components are mounted directly on the walls, with no vents or ducts to worry about.

4. Packaged System

Packaged HVAC systems are ideal for small homes that are too confined to separately house interior components. All parts of both the AC and heating systems are installed outdoors, saving you space.

The Energy Efficiency of HVAC Systems

“Best” means different things to different people, but if savings are a concern, highly energy-efficient equipment is ideal. This will help you keep energy expenses lower long-term.

The makeup of your HVAC system will largely determine its energy efficiency. Namely, whether or not you install a heat pump or strictly use a combustion furnace. But there are industry measurements that can also help you determine the efficiency for different HVAC models.

• Cooling. When you’re shopping for air conditioning units, compare each model’s Season Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). A SEER rating of 13 or 14 is the mandatory federal minimum. Homes in warmer climates may be required to purchase models with even higher ratings. The higher the number, the more efficiently your system will run.
• Heating. For heating systems, the unit’s Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating will help you determine how much energy the equipment uses. The federal minimum AFUE rating is 78%. But for maximum efficiency, look for a rating in the 80s or 90s.

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Hiring an Air Conditioning Contractor

An HVAC system isn’t just the sum of its components. It will need to be installed properly to ensure that it runs efficiently and well. Finding a qualified contractor to do the installation is key.

HVAC contractors should carry a license to do this kind of work in your area. Additionally, if your contractor is further certified from the North American Technician Excellence or the Indoor Environment and Energy Efficiency Association, that’s a great sign that they are suited for your project.

Best Air Conditioner Brands

Once you have an idea of what type of HVAC system you want, check out our picks for the top 10 AC brands.

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Alternative Heating and Cooling Systems

With increased interest in high-efficiency products, alternative HVAC options are becoming more popular amongst homeowners. These include the following:

Evaporative Coolers

Homes in drier climates sometimes find evaporative coolers to be a good alternative to traditional AC units. These systems blow air from the outdoors over water-saturated pads, which acts as a natural coolant, and adds humidity to dry desert air.

Evaporative coolers are generally understood to use less energy than traditional central air conditioners. Instead of using harmful chemical refrigerants, they cool using natural water, making them a greener choice. However, they may not be ideal for humid areas.

Radiant Heating

If you’re building fresh or are considering remodeling your home’s floors, radiant heating is an energy-efficient solution. In radiant heating systems, a network of thermal tubes is installed below the subfloor. The tubes, which are filled with either water or glycol, are connected to a heat pump or boiler that distributes heat throughout the room.

Radiant floors have the benefit of being highly efficient, especially compared to combustion furnaces. They use physics to heat a room more effectively, since heat tends to rise. By comparison, ducted heat systems may be vented from high on the ceiling.

However, they are hard to retrofit into homes. They require a complete overhaul of your home’s flooring, which can make them expensive.

Solar Space Heaters

For a smaller area, or to even out costs in cold climates, consider solar space heaters. These are a more affordable option that work by capturing the heat coming directly from the sun.

Solar air heaters use thermal heating collectors and can even be used in place of central heating in a home. In these systems, a water pump keeps liquid — usually a combination of water and antifreeze — passing over a dark-colored plate. The heat is then collected and pumped into a home’s interiors. Some energy-conscious homeowners even use them in combination with radiant flooring to keep homes super efficient!

Replacing all or part of your heating and air conditioning system takes consideration. It will impact your home’s overall comfort for years to come. With technological advances in system efficiencies, it pays to be knowledgeable before you buy.