To say that the sales pitch for a modern HVAC is littered with terms and numbers would be an understatement. Homeowners often find it challenging to sort out which traits and features are marketing and which are genuinely must-have items. Our HVAC company recommends that homeowners focus on the following four aspects of a new system.
1. Energy Efficiency
Three elements of an HVAC tell you most of what you need to know about its energy efficiency. SEER is a good number for understanding AC performance, and AFUE/HSPF tells you a lot about a heating system. Also, the presence of variable-speed technology strongly indicates that a system is generally efficient. Bear in mind that modern efficiency HVACs generally perform as well or better than traditional systems while costing less to operate.
SEER
The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) is a government-backed rating that indicates how efficiently an air conditioner operates. The current minimum SEER is 14.5, but higher is always better. Every tick of additional SEER yields about an eight percent efficiency improvement.
One thing to remember, though, is that higher-SEER systems cost more and therefore have longer payback periods. You can find 25+ SEER systems. However, we recommend closer to 16 to 20 SEER for most New York state homeowners because the air conditioning season is fairly short here.
AFUE and HSPF
Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) tells you how much of the fuel used by a furnace or boiler becomes usable heat in your home. We do not recommend purchasing a system that doesn’t at least achieve a 90 percent AFUE. Condensing systems are available for both furnaces and boilers that can reach 95 percent or higher with little trouble and a modest upfront cost increase.
Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) is the closest equivalent to AFUE for heat pumps. Since heat pumps don’t use fuel, HSPF provides a different reference point. The minimum recommendation for a heat pump is 8.2 HSPF, and anything above nine is considered efficient. Anything over ten HSPF is considered high efficiency. As with other systems, there are tradeoffs between the higher price of a high-HSPF system and its payback period.
Variable-Speed Technology
Variable-speed technology (VST) uses a handful of methods to deliver heating and cooling at different rates. This differs from traditional setups where a heater or AC is simply on or off. The benefit of VST is that it prevents major swings, with most systems operating within a one-degree swing. Not only does this make your place more comfortable, but it cuts down on repeated system cycles. With fewer hard starts and stops, VST-based HVACs tend to suffer less wear and tear. This makes them more efficient and gives them longer expected lifespans.
2. Indoor Air Quality Features
Indoor air quality (IAQ) is of increasing concern to most homeowners. More than ever, people want to know that their homes have clean, safe, and breathable air that’s free of mold, bacteria, dust, and other irritants. The best place to centralize potential solutions is in the HVAC. Your home’s HVAC controls the flow of air, and that makes it the ideal placement for IAQ features.
Humidity Control
Keeping your home’s humidity level in a tight range between 30 and 50 percent is best. Air below 30 percent humidity can be too dry, leading to skin, eye, and respiratory irritation. Also, dry air can cause paints and wood to crack. Conversely, humidity levels above 50 percent can encourage mold growth. Fortunately, installing a humidifier and dehumidifier allows your HVAC to maintain the preferred humidity range.
Filtration
All modern HVAC systems have some level of filtration. However, many models only use light fiberglass filters to capture lint, hair, and other large particulates. High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters capture 99.97 percent of all particles as small as 0.3 microns. This means it effectively removes dust, pollen, dander, smoke, mold spores, bacteria, and some smaller viruses.
You may also want to consider a system with an activated carbon filter. This approach reacts with chemicals, reducing smells and the presence of some volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
UV Light
UV light can break up the DNA and RNA of nearly all types of bacteria, viruses, and mold. It also reacts to many VOCs. Using a small chamber with a bulb, a UV light system provides the same sanitizing benefits as sun exposure does.
3. Smart Technologies
Smart Thermostats
Smart thermostats are one of the most cost-effective solutions for HVACs. They are a notable step up from programmable thermostats of recent decades. A smart thermostat can study usage patterns, heating and cooling needs, current weather, and even current energy rates to determine the optimal temperature and humidity settings for your HVAC. A well-designed smart thermostat can save more than 20 percent during heating season and 15 percent during cooling season.
Smart thermostats are loaded with great features, such as app connectivity. You can readily control the HVAC from your phone, home theater, security system, tablet, or even voice assistant.
Zoned HVAC
Connected fans, blower motors, and dampers allow you to set up different parts of your home as HVAC zones. For example, we strongly recommend having at least a zone for the sunnier and shadier sides of your house. This allows you to deliver heating and cooling where they’re most needed. Zoning is also great for large homes where airflow might be uneven between rooms. A zoned HVAC can deliver balanced airflow, ultimately reducing drafts and increasing overall comfort. Balanced HVAC zones also tend to run more efficiently.
4. Capacity
An HVAC system needs to have the right capacity for your home. An oversized HVAC can suffer losses due to inefficiency and poor humidity control. Conversely, an undersized HVAC may have to work harder and is likely to wear out sooner.
Our technicians can measure your home to determine what capacity you’ll need for both heating and cooling. We will perform a load calculation based on your home’s ventilation and outside air infiltration. We can also determine the sensible heating and cooling needs for the number of people who live in your home. Additionally, we will examine factors like ceiling heights, the number and types of windows, duct losses, and the overall living area of your home.
Upgrade Your Home Comfort Today!
Polar Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning is happy to help the people of Newburgh, NY, and the surrounding areas with their HVAC needs. We are a member of the BBB, ACCA, and BNI. Our technicians work on heating, cooling, and indoor air quality systems. You can ask us about many options, including heat pumps, furnaces, boilers, and ductless mini-split ACs. Financing is also available upon approval for installation jobs.
Our company has been in business since 2019. We are a Fujitsu Elite Dealer and a Platinum Bosch ABC Partner. Free estimates are available, and our business guarantees customer satisfaction.
If you want to make sure you purchase the right new HVAC for your Newburgh home, contact Polar Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning now to discuss your options.
