What You Should Know About Different Types of HVAC Systems
To someone who doesn’t work in the industry, HVAC systems can appear extremely complicated. Not only are there plenty of complicating factors within a single system, but there are also many differences between types of systems. You don’t need to be an expert to have the right system installed in your home, but it is helpful to understand the basics – and that’s what this article is here to offer.
As a leader in HVAC in Greensboro NC, Berico is the easy choice when you have any type of installation or maintenance project to handle. For the best Greensboro HVAC service available, simply call Berico today to get started.
The Industry Leader – A Split System
If you own a home that was built in the last 20 or 30 years, it’s very likely that the HVAC system that serves your home is what’s known as a split system. With this type of system, you can have both heating and cooling capability in your home, although the work will be done by separate units. This is an impressively efficient and affordable system, which is why it has become the standard throughout most of the country.
So, how does it work? In simple terms, there is a unit to manage the heating of air and another to manage the task of cooling it down. The heater will typically be in the house, located somewhere out of the way like an attic, basement, or small closet. When the thermostat tells the system that the home needs to be warmer, the unit will kick on and move air through the heater and out through the ducts to warm up the space.
The process is similar with cooling, only the unit that manages cooling will be found outside. Refrigerant is pumped through a line that runs out to the outdoor unit, where it will be cooled, and the heat will be dumped out into the air. Then, that cooled refrigerant makes the trip back inside, where air moves over it and is cooled down. You’ll only need a single thermostat to manage all of this activity, and the end result should be a home that stays comfortable throughout the year.
Many Other Possibilities for HVAC Systems
Covering all of the other various options available for HVAC systems would far exceed the limitations of this article. However, we can take a moment below to highlight some of what you’ll find out there on the market today, as one of these might end up being a better solution for your needs.
• Zoned system. This can still operate as a split system as was described above, however, the home (or another type of building) is divided up into zones that can be heated or cooled individually.
• Ductless HVAC. In this case, ductwork is not used to distribute heated or cooled air, and instead, there is a dedicated unit placed in each room in the house that needs to be temperature controlled. This is a good option for an older home that doesn’t have ductwork and has never had air conditioning.
• Heat pump. A heat pump is an outdoor unit that can provide both heating and cooling capabilities, depending on the season. So, it can function as an air conditioner in the summer, and when winter rolls around, it becomes an auxiliary heater that supplements the main heating unit.
The best way to resolve any questions you may have about HVAC systems is to contact Berico directly to learn more about the options. Get started today!