Most homeowners spend hours and lots of money on creating the perfect indoor and outdoor environment. Furniture, wallpaper or paint, and landscaping all warrant excruciating attention. But who thinks about the HVAC system? It becomes an ‘out of sight, out of mind’ issue. Well, we think it is important to have some basic knowledge of the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning system in your home. Consider this blog entry a beginning lesson on HVAC.
Systems
• HVAC encompasses a variety of differing systems. Each of these requires professional expertise to troubleshoot, repair and install.
• HVAC systems are becoming increasingly more energy efficient and environmentally friendly.
• There are many factors that must be taken into consideration when purchasing or upgrading a home HVAC system. These include air filtration, the noise the system may generate, the humidity and/or loss of heat that results from the HVAC system use, upkeep and maintenance and the operating costs.
• The HVAC system is generally not visible or on display within the home. Instead, it snakes through the walls of the home as well as the attic and other crawl spaces. Repairs may require removal or replacement of pipes, vents and ducts and that is often an expensive and labor-intensive undertaking.
• The cost of heating and cooling a home is one of the largest expenses outside the mortgage itself. Research shows that as much as 25% of a home’s heat or air conditioning is lost due to poor insulation and faulty duct work.
• Replacing the heat and air filters regularly is an important step towards keeping the HVAC system working optimally. Some homeowners fail to change the filters monthly, let alone at all. Not only does this cut down on the efficiency of the system – it fosters poor air quality in the home and can instigate health problems.
• There are a wide variety of heating and cooling systems on the market and each comes with its own energy rating. For the most part, the higher the energy efficiency rating – the better the system’s efficiency.
• Don’t be fooled into thinking that an HVAC system with greater capacity is the best option. Buy only the size that is appropriate for your needs.
Contact the professionals at Best Quality Heating and Cooling of Southwest Florida for all your HVAC needs.