HVAC systems, known as Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Systems, are integral to homes and businesses. While many people understand how HVAC systems help keep us comfortable throughout the year, only a few can accurately describe the different types of HVAC systems available and how each system functions.
Understanding all available options is important if you’re shopping for a new comfort system or want to upgrade your existing one. This article will break down the main types of HVAC systems and describe how they work.
What Are the Main Types of HVAC Systems?
Different HVAC systems provide distinct options and benefits, depending on the size of your home or business and the climate in which you live. To help you decide which one is best for you, let’s take a look at some of the main types of heating and cooling systems and how they work.
1. Gas Furnace & Air Conditioning
Matching a gas furnace with an air conditioner system is a popular residential HVAC system type and a reliable way of heating and cooling in the United States. This type of system works by drawing in air from the home’s interior, which is then conditioned ( heated, cooled, humidified or de-humidified), and then distributed through the ductwork across the home. This type of system is often referred to as called “forced air system”. Forced air systems have the added benefit of being able to rapidly heat or cool an interior space.
Depending on the model selected, furnaces can run on propane, oil, natural gas, or electricity, while air conditioners typically use electricity as their power source. This type of HVAC system is the best option for indoor spaces in climates where cooling and heating are needed year-round.
2. Heat Pumps
With a heat pump system, the outdoor unit will heat and cool your home. Heat pumps are an efficient and cost-effective way of controlling indoor climate. Especially when matched with solar, heat pumps can deliver significant cost savings over traditional gas furnace systems.
Heat pumps are quickly becoming popular among homeowners as they offer a range of advantages over traditional heating systems when powered by electricity. Instead of generating heat through the combustion of fuel sources like natural gas, heat pumps use electricity to transfer heat from the air outside into the interior of a home. This process is particularly powerful in moderate temperatures.
These types of HVAC systems can also work in reverse to provide central air conditioning, keeping your home cool and comfortable even during the hottest days of the year. Both budget-friendly and eco-friendly, a heat pump is an excellent choice if you have a solar system or electricity is your sole energy source available.
3. Split Systems
The term ‘split system’ implies that the outdoor unit and indoor unit are in different locations and are not combined in one ‘package’. Instead, the outdoor component, either a heat pump or air conditioner, is connected to the indoor coil through a field-installed line-set (copper lines). Split systems are the most common type of residential HVAC systems.
Split systems come in two variations; ductless and ducted.
- Ductless split systems – Often called mini-split systems, ductless split systems provide targeted cooling and energy efficiency by sending cool air directly to designated blowers throughout the house.
- Ducted split systems – Also known as central air systems, ducted split systems work by transferring cool air to each room, from a single, centralized unit through a series of connected ducts.
4. Zoned System
A zoned HVAC system is a great way of controlling the temperature in a home. You can control individual areas of your home with zone valves or zone dampers and select which specific parts to heat or cool instead of operating serviced areas in bulk. This saves energy, reduces costs, and allows you to maintain comfortable temperature levels in any room at any time.
This means you can choose when and where to direct the heat for maximum efficiency, resulting in an environmentally-friendly experience inside your walls. This type of HVAC system is ideal for those looking to maximize the efficiency of their HVAC system without sacrificing comfort.
5. Geothermal Heat Pump
Geothermal heat pumps are the current gold standard for home air conditioning and heating systems. These highly-efficient systems use underground reservoirs of water and soil to both heat and cool the home, thus increasing energy efficiency while maintaining a consistent temperature throughout the house.
Unfortunately, these kinds of HVAC systems come at a cost; they’re more expensive on the front end than other options. But with all the money you’ll save on energy costs over time, it’s likely worth investing in a geothermal heat pump now – no matter how steep the initial cost.
How To Know What’s My HVAC System?
Thinking of “what type of HVAC system do I have?” Knowing your HVAC system is important for maintaining and repairing it. If you aren’t sure what HVAC type is installed in your home, it is probably best to schedule a maintenance visit and have the maintenance tech help you identify the components and the type of system that is installed. Here are some general pointers to help you identify your system:
- Indoor components – All split systems have indoor components that typically are installed in attics, closets, garages, crawl spaces, or basements.
- Gas Furnace (Indoor) – The gas furnace will have a vent pipe and an incoming gas line installed.
- Air Handler (Indoor) – The air handler is an indoor component and is part of a heat pump system. Air handlers do not have vent pipes or gas lines installed.
- Condenser – The condenser is the outdoor component of your air conditioning system. Air conditioners reject heat during normal operation. It will be running during cooling operation.
- Heat Pump – the heat pump is the outdoor component of your air conditioning system and it can reject or absorb heat. An easy way to tell if you have a heat pump is to turn the heat on and if the outdoor unit is running, you most likely have a heat pump.
- Package Unit – Package units contain all mechanical components in one unit (heater, air conditioner, evaporator, blower motor). Package units are usually installed on rooftops, but can also be installed at ground level.
What Is The Right HVAC System For Me?
Selecting the most suitable residential HVAC system for your home is an important decision. There are several factors to consider before purchasing a new HVAC system:
Home Comfort
The right HVAC system should provide your home with the level of comfort you desire, both in terms of temperature/humidity and air quality.
Energy Efficiency
With ever-rising electric rates, energy-efficient comfort systems have become very popular. Make sure to do your due diligence and ask your comfort advisor about systems that can save you thousands over the service life of your new comfort system. Penny wise pound foolish comes to mind. It is recommended to spend a little more upfront and save big in the long run.
Capacity
It’s important to properly size your comfort system to meet your home’s cooling and heating needs. A word of caution, oversized systems typically result in poor comfort, high energy consumption, and reduced service life.
Maintenance Requirements
Make sure to schedule regular maintenance for your HVAC system. Regular maintenance is the best way to ensure a reliable, dependable performance and optimize energy usage.
Price
Residential comfort systems in California can range from $9,000 to $60,000 depending on the level of installation that is required. A simple change out for a smaller system, which means that only the mechanical components get replaced, would be on the lower side, whereas an original high end custom installation would be on the higher end of the spectrum.
Most system replacements that include air duct replacement and mechanical replacement will be in the $15,000 to $23,000 range. Keep in mind that all installations in California will require local building permits and CA Title 24 HERS verification. Beware of contractors that state that permits are optional. Most poor-quality installations start with no permits.
Summary of Different Types of HVAC Systems
When looking for the right HVAC system for your home, there are various options available. Each type, from traditional split systems to geothermal heat pumps, can have advantages and varying benefits depending on the application. It’s important to consider all factors before deciding which system is best for you and your family.
If you need help selecting the perfect HVAC system for your home, Haven Air Conditioning is here to assist. Our experts will help you find the most energy-efficient and cost-effective HVAC system that fits your needs. Contact us today for a consultation and see why we’re the leading HVAC company serving Orange County.
