Types of HVAC Systems

In some parts of the country, there is a major need for heating systems, whereas in other parts of the country, there is a huge need for cooling systems. HVAC stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. There are various types of heating, ventilation and cooling systems. In order for you to choose the one you need, you have to know what to look for. The most important thing to keep in mind is that you don't want a system that is too powerful for your needs, but at the same time, you don't want one that is not powerful enough either. HVAC systems are not new to modern society. They have been around since the Romans began to develop the concept in the first century. They developed a system in which heated air from a furnace is pushed through passageways beneath flooring and exiting through pipes in rooms. During the 18th century, Swedes came up with the idea of using hot water as a heat source and the British were the first to use steam units in centralized locations in buildings. Central air conditioning systems came about in the 20th century. Central heating systems can be separated into three major categories: forced hot air, gravity, and radiant. Forced hot air systems deal with an electric fan that blows hot air through ducts. Gravity systems work by using thermodynamic properties that help hot air to rise and provide heat to rooms located over the furnace. Radiant units use hot water, steam, or electrical elements that are located inside the walls, beneath the flooring, or above the ceilings to provide heat. In order to choose the right system, you need to understand the basics. You need to know the size of each of the rooms in your home, as well as the space and floor volumes throughout your home. When deciding on how much power your unit will need, you need to start with volume. Ask your neighbors what they use for their energy source so you can determine which one is most economical. Inquire with your electric company to see if they can provide you an energy audit to determine ways you can save energy. Employ a professional that you can depend on. You can easily check their credentials since every state requires that HVAC contractors be certified. You want to get estimates from several contractors. From that list, get rid of the one with the lowest bid because he is probably the one that does a poor job. Also, get rid of the one with the highest bid since he is most likely using very high-priced parts. Choose the one somewhere in the middle that will do the best job possible. It is important to take your time in choosing the right HVAC system because as a homeowner, it may be one of the most expensive things you spend your hard-earned money on. HVAC systems can start at about the $5,000 range and could easily go up into the tens of thousands of dollars. You need to choose something that will last you many years, but is also well within your budget.