It’s your first time replacing your HVAC system, and you’re not sure what to pick. That’s okay–it’s a big decision that lasts for 10-15 years, so you’re giving it the right amount of scrutiny.
Today, we’re going to help you figure out which HVAC in Pittsford NY makes the most sense for you by breaking down the three main HVAC system types found in homes across the country.
Central Air Conditioning Paired With a Furnace
This is the most common pairing that we see. A central air conditioner is a separate machine from a furnace that shares the same ductwork to deliver temperature-conditioned air throughout your home.
The benefit here is that each system only endures as much wear and tear as it needs. Unlike hybrid systems, which we’ll talk about in a little while, the issues pertain to each system. However, if your heater goes out in the middle of winter, it’s not like you can make much use of your air conditioner for comfort, but it also means if your heater dies at the end of winter, you still have air conditioning for the warmer months ahead while you figure out how to repair or replace your furnace.
Gas furnaces have some safety concerns that you don’t get with the other heater types on our list, such as potential carbon monoxide leaks if they aren’t maintained. Furnaces can also work in very low temperatures, which as we’ll see, not all hybrid units can.
Heat Pumps
A heat pump is both an air conditioner and a heater. These systems have a major benefit in terms of convenience–you only have a single unit to worry about repairing or replacing. Beyond that, their energy efficiency often outperforms air conditioner and furnace combos by up to 50%, meaning you could run a single heat pump for half the running cost of an AC and furnace combo throughout the year.
However, heat pumps may struggle to provide sufficient heat in single-digit temperatures and below, which is why these units are sometimes viewed as being region-specific. They are more expensive to install than a furnace and air conditioner combo as well.
Ductless Mini Splits
Ductless mini splits approach problems that both air conditioner/furnace combos and heat pumps have. You can have multiple mini split heads in your home, providing both heating and cooling. If one of them breaks, the others will still function fine–they don’t depend on one another.
That being said, some homeowners do not find a single ductless mini split is sufficient to heat and cool their entire home throughout the year, so depending on your living space size, you may need two or more to get the performance you want.
These units are extremely energy efficient and also provide a way to zone your home. If you have an in-law suite and often fight over what temperature to set the house to, you could install a ductless mini split head there so they can control their own temperature. It opens up more controllable comfort throughout your home.
We Can Help You Figure it Out
If you’re a bit overwhelmed with all of this, we can help you figure out what makes the most sense for your home and your budget. Give us a call or fill out our online submission form and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible to explain the pros and cons of the different system types and help you make a decision that’s right for your family.
Contact us today to schedule your HVAC service as soon as possible.