HVAC 101: Everything You Need to Know Before Upgrading to a New System

Whether you’re buying a newer Houston, Texas, home or a fixer-upper, one concern you shouldn’t overlook is the current HVAC system. Although some are fine with just a tune-up and some basic maintenance, others can end up costing you tons of money. Therefore, it’s important to consider an upgrade. Although upgrades to your HVAC system come with a large initial cost, the money you’ll save over time more than justifies the expenditure. However, before you upgrade, check out a few of these things that every homeowner needs to know.

Indoor Air Quality

As testing for indoor air quality has become more readily available, many homeowners are transitioning to systems that help your family breathe easy. Older systems, often manufactured before air quality was on homeowners’ buying checklists, don’t offer the types of dependability that new ones do.

There are two ways to control indoor air quality: portable or in-line units. Both are the same types of units, such as air purifiers, humidifiers, and dehumidifiers, but their overall functionality changes, depending on what type you choose. Inline systems hook right into your existing HVAC system and provide exceptional performance, while portable units only work in a small area. If anyone in your family suffers from asthma or allergies, the best bet is to go with an inline upgrade, although a cheap fix is just adding a portable unit to his or her bedroom.

Ductwork and Ductless Mini-splits

Not every homeowner goes through the task of checking the ductwork of the home they wish to purchase. However, improperly installed ductwork causes a plethora of problems that result in poor energy efficiency and high utility bills. Many times, older ductwork starts to separate, causing leaks in the system.

If you’ve decided your HVAC system is out of date, the ductwork should be checked also. If the ductwork is in bad shape, a new system will not perform as it should, and you’ll be wasting money not just on the purchase of a new system, but paying for energy inefficiency. Another alternative to consider is ductless mini-splits, which help heat and cool the home with great efficiency and require no ductwork at all.

Packaged Units

If your HVAC system is huge and space is a factor, you may also want to consider a packaged HVAC unit. Although typically reserved for commercial businesses, these units are becoming more prevalent in residential housing. The reason is simple: You have your HVAC’s components all in one place. This results in extra space in both your home’s interior and exterior, which is perfect for urban areas. In addition, package units run just as efficiently as traditional systems, but they allow technicians to access the unit for repairs or tune-ups more easily. Instead of having to go back and forth between the home’s interior and exterior, everything’s right there, which makes repairs easier and lowers the hourly rate for their time.

Smart Thermostats

Sometimes, your HVAC system isn’t the culprit of poor energy efficiency. If the system is less than 10 years old, then it’s almost a certainty. To upgrade your system without installing a new HVAC unit, you need to try a smart thermostat.

Although they have a higher cost compared to traditional thermostats, they offer many options and actually adjust the temperature based on your tastes and prior usage patterns. Outdated thermostats aren’t all bad, but they often need thermometer calibration and are harder to adjust. Smart thermostats also provide access from any mobile device with an Internet connection, allowing you to change the temperature when you’re away from home. Many of these devices also have a report that shows your energy usage and areas that can be improved.

This isn’t a completely exhaustive list of things to consider before an HVAC upgrade, but it should definitely show you some issues to look for. Once you’ve decided on what needs to change, you need a professional that’s up to the task. Luckily, you have the experts at Davis Air Conditioning & Heating at your disposal. They’ll help you decide on the best course of action and have you up and running in no time. Call them today at 888-710-5530.

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