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HVAC: Total Home Comfort |
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It's well known among homeowners that fall is an important time of year to inspect you home's heating system, before the cold weather sets in for the duration of winter. However, if you remember this past summer's unbearable heat, you'll also appreciate the importance of assessing cooling and venting systems as part of your home's entire climate and air quality controls.
The fact is that Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (known as "HVAC") are closely linked, each contributing to your home's year-round comfort, even when they operate independently. For example, assuming compatible specifications such as duct sizes and fan speeds, a central air conditioning system will utilize integral aspects of a forced-air heating system including air filtration, power source and thermostat control.
NEWER, MORE EFFICIENT OPTIONS
In addition to the typical furnace and central air units, there are two new significant HVAC components that you may want to consider. These components are fast becoming essential parts of the modern "total home system":
1. HEAT RECOVERY VENTILATORS (HRVs)
HRVs were developed to ensure that even the most efficiently sealed and insulated homes would still have a well-managed, equal distribution of filtered fresh air, no matter what the weather is outside. HRVs expel stale air after it has been used to warm (or cool) fresh air. As more homes become energy efficient and concerns over indoor air quality increase, HRVs are certain to be in greater demand.
2. HEAT PUMPS
A heat pump can help provide "climate control" all year round by extracting heat from the outside air (even on colder days) and distributing it indoors, through expansion, evaporation, compression and condensaton. The process also works in reverse, providing comfort during hot weather. Although heat pumps aren't usually the main source of climate control, they can still reduce your costs considerably over the course of a year.
When you're evaluating your HVAC system, keep the following in mind:
- Clean and maintain fans, air filters, ducts, flues and chimneys before winter and summer operation.
- Allow for adjustable air distribution (e.g., the basement gathers colder air, so you'll want to adjust vents to allow for more warm air in winter, and less cool air in summer).
- Repair, seal and/or insulate doors, windows, walls, roof and foundation.
GET PROFESSIONAL ADVICE
Hire an expert to examine your HVAC needs -- preferably an independent contractor with no allegiance, commission, or profit from a recommended sale. If that isn't possible, get at least three opinions before making a purchase decision.
ALL IN ALL
When it's time for any HVAC upgrade, you should always look at your complete home comfort system to ensure it serves you well and helps you save energy -- even during extreme temperature and humidity situations.
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Peter Lamy,