HVAC Systems Buying Guide of 2024: Which is the Best?
Luckily, we have a powerful tool to control the climate. Enter HVAC, an acronym for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. This system is a staple within the "thermal envelope" of a structure, regulating temperature with ease.
While HVAC systems may require maintenance or replacement, they're not usually a top-of-mind consideration. In this piece, we'll explore this essential system in-depth, how it works, the types of HVAC systems depending on the application, and some advantages and disadvantages of the most common forms.
What Is an HVAC System?
An HVAC system conditions the air inside the “thermal envelope” by heating, cooling, or moving the air around the space.
In reality, this means any space that is insulated.
Today, it is rare to find an inhabited structure without some form of HVAC.
An HVAC system will be the forced-air version, indicating the system physically pushes and pulls the air around, unlike a radiant heat source, like a fireplace.
How Does an HVAC System Work?
The answer will depend on the type of system in place and the system's air conditioning method.
This system will be either a heat pump or a furnace in most residential homes.
These systems are known as forced air systems because they incorporate a fan to push conditioned air into a space and pull it from the area, in contrast to the traditional radiator or space heater we have all seen.
Forced air systems are much more efficient and, oddly, will often cost less to operate.
Furnace
A furnace is a centrally located HVAC system that provides heated air throughout a structure.
A furnace will typically use either an electrically heated coil or gas to warm the surrounding air and, with the help of a blower or air handler, circulate the warm air where needed.
It should be noted that furnaces, unlike heat pumps, do not directly provide air conditioning. In climates where a stove is installed, the HVAC system often includes an air conditioner for use in the summer.
Heat Pump
Undoubtedly, a heat pump is the most common form of HVAC used today.
Heat pumps can be designed as a single package unit or in separate components called a split system.
A heat pump incorporates a condenser and evaporator coil to warm cold air from outdoors or cool warm air from outside.
This efficient system usually results in the lowest utility bill in a forced air system.
One downside to heat pumps is that they can be quite complex to install, so they tend to cost more initially. However, the energy savings acquired over time often make a heat pump the most cost-effective HVAC system available.
What Are the Different Types of HVAC Systems?
- Package Unit
- Split System
- Hybrid Split System (Gas and Electric)
- Mini-Split System (Ductless)
- Geothermal
Package Unit
A package unit usually describes a heat pump with all the working components in one large enclosure.
Most of us have seen a large gray or green box attached to the side of a home or business.
These package units are often the least expensive heat pump version because all the components are inside the enclosure and do not require additional connections to the home.
However, package units are generally used on one-story buildings or in conjunction with a split system because the ductwork must connect directly to the enclosure.
| Lower Materials Cost | In most cases, a package unit will be less expensive because nearly all of the working parts are packaged into one unit. This alleviates the additional work and expenses of connecting separate parts together. These units are also generally less expensive to manufacture because of their limited usability. |
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| Lower Labor Cost | Labor charges will also be lower for the same reason. It is not uncommon for a package unit to be installed or swapped out in a matter of hours. |
| Durability | Package units tend to take a beating and keep going. These units are sturdy, easy to work on, and easily replaceable. |
| Limited Application | Package units are really only designed to be used on one story buildings. Multi-level structures will usually require a more customizable version, such as a split system. |
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Split System
In contrast to a package system, a split system separates the condenser from the air handler, allowing the system to be custom-designed for the application.
Split systems are typical on multiple-story buildings, with the condenser residing outdoors and the air handler in a closet or attic space.
This design costs more initially because additional connections must be made between the condenser and air handler and the usual links to a thermostat.
These systems typically require the installer to have more technical experience because they will work with freon, a greenhouse gas.
| Very Adaptable | Split systems are very adaptable because the main components are separate and can be connected in any number of ways. These systems can be installed almost anywhere and have very few design limitations. |
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| More Features | Split systems tend to have more elaborate design options as well. Upgrades, like increased efficiency, scroll compressors, etc. tend to be more commonly available on split systems. |
| Outdoor Components Are Smaller | Since in most applications only the condenser will be located outdoors, the system usually takes less space in the yard. This is particularly useful on small lots with very close property lines. |
| Higher Cost | Split systems are more expensive to install. Since the components must be connected together manually, the labor and expertise required to install a split system is typically higher. The added expense does not necessarily add more efficiency, but often exists simply because the home or lot design does not allow for a package unit. |
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Hybrid Split System (Gas and Electric)
A hybrid split HVAC system uses gas and electricity to heat and cool the air.
These hybrid systems are generally, along with geothermal systems, more expensive to install.
However, hybrid systems are often the most dependable HVAC systems available.
Hybrid HVAC systems are reliable and efficient but are usually the most complex forced air HVAC systems to design and install.
| Highest Reliability and Convenience | Because a hybrid split system uses both electricity and gas, the system will generally be much more reliable. Some designs even function as a generator, powering the system even if electrical power is unavailable. |
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| High Flexibility | Hybrid units are more complex to design and install, which allows the installer to adapt the system as needed for the application. Hybrid systems also tend to be installed in higher end homes with design complexities. This increased adaptability is sometimes the only way to build a functioning system when building designs require it. |
| Additional Maintenance | Hybrid systems will require considerably more maintenance, as essentially two systems must be cared for. This of course also adds to the cost of ownership over time, making a hybrid system one of the most expensive to own. |
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Mini-Split System (Ductless)
Mini-split HVAC systems are designed to allow individual areas and rooms to be heated and cooled individually.
Ductless HVAC systems use small units (often wall-mounted) that are individually located but interconnected to a condenser/compressor outdoors.
In this design, each room can have a different temperature, or each unit can be programmed differently.
Ductless systems are very scalable and, although expensive to install, are likely the most flexible HVAC systems available.
| Most Control | Ductless HVAC systems offer the most zone control of any HVAC design. Because these units are physically located in each zone or room, they provide nearly complete control of the conditioned air. |
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| Centrally Connected | Ductless systems are typically connected together via drain lines that prevent any condensation from doing damage. This same feature also eliminates one of the main drawbacks of window air conditioners, which is what to do with the condensation. |
| Cost | Ductless units are designed to be useful in any installation, but generally speaking these systems work best in smaller applications. Purchasing individual units is much less cost effective than installing one large unit, as the economy of scale is greatly diminished. As such, larger installations are usually better served by a typical ducted, forced air system. Ductless systems are often more about convenience than efficiency, so they work best in smaller, difficult to heat areas (such as a sunroom) that cannot be heated using other methods. |
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Geothermal
Geothermal HVAC systems are relatively new to modern construction and take advantage of the consistent temperature of the ground.
For example, a standard heat pump may be required to raise the incoming air temperature by twenty degrees or more, which can require enormous energy.
The more significant the temperature difference between the incoming and outgoing air, the more energy is required.
Geothermal HVAC systems use a large ground area into which pipes (PEX) are buried.
Since ground temperatures tend to remain consistent below the frost line, these pipes are never colder than the surrounding soil.
This means the system never has to work as hard as a standard system because the incoming air is already relatively warm.
This makes the system very durable and efficient, but depending on the size of the system, the amount of ground required can be several acres.
| Extreme Efficiency | Geothermal HVAC systems generally offer the most return on investment. These systems are generally best for homeowners planning to stay in the home for many years. |
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| Environmentally Friendly | Because geothermal systems are so efficient, they tend to be more environmentally friendly than comparable designs. Some estimates suggest that over the life of the system, it will use less than 50% of the energy required to operate a standard heat pump. |
| Land | Geothermal HVAC systems require larger lots than are typically found in subdivisions. These systems will generally require up to an acre per 1000 square feet of space to be heated, making them unsuitable for the majority of homes. |
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| Initial Cost of Installation | Geothermal systems are often the most expensive HVAC system to install. Therefore, these systems will take the longest time to provide a return on the investment. Generally, the energy savings provided by a geothermal system will take about twice as long as a typical heat pump to offset the additional costs of installation. However, in the long run a geothermal system will cost less to operate. |
How Do I Know Which System Is Best For Me?
Package Unit Heat Pump
This question can be answered by determining the needs of the structure, the cost, and the services available.
An electric, package-style heat pump will best serve smaller, one-story homes, as these systems are typically less expensive.
Therefore, a package unit is often found on smaller, single-story structures with a relatively small yard.
Split System Heat Pump
A split system is generally the best solution if the home has multiple levels or needs a separate system for each floor.
As described earlier, these systems are very customizable, making them ideal for subdivisions with one or two-story homes.
These systems also occupy less space outdoors than a package system, making them very convenient to install on narrow building lots.
Hybrid Split System
Hybrid systems are often found in larger, more elaborate homes with a larger budget.
In effect, this system is two systems sharing standard HVAC components, like ductwork.
As such, hybrid split systems are pretty expensive to install initially.
In most installations, the lot will require a connection to public utilities, such as natural gas lines from the street, although liquid propane versions are available.
Mini-Split Ductless HVAC
As mentioned earlier, these systems provide the most flexibility and the lowest utility bill in some situations.
This is because unused rooms can be cordoned off if they are not being used.
These systems also address the common problems with window air conditioners, such as collecting the water caused by condensation.
How Do I Find the Best HVAC System Installer?
Luckily, HVAC installation requires specialized training and licensing.
Licensed HVAC installers must also have their work inspected, so finding a qualified installer is generally straightforward.
However, because HVAC systems can be complex, even minor discrepancies can cause the system to work inefficiently.
The best HVAC system installers will have all of the qualifications above and perform a load calculation.
This is essentially a worksheet that helps the installer calculate the precise system the structure needs.
This will include calculating the window sizes and their efficiency, how well the structure is insulated, and so on.
The installer can then match this information as closely as possible to the available systems.
It is strongly recommended, therefore, to look for an installer who will spend the necessary time and effort to do a load calculation and apply it to find the best balance between cost-effective design and performance.
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