Central HVAC Units for Homes

Central HVAC Units is one of the most efficient air conditioning systems for any home. It is convenient because it ensures a comfortable climate around the house at one touch. It is also energy efficient.

To better evaluate if a central HVAC unit is the ideal air conditioning and heating system for one’s home, it is best to understand how it works. A Central HVAC cools a structure through its outdoor unit and condenser coil. The warm air around the house gets into the system; the refrigerant cools it and gets blown through the various vents around the house. The moisture that is produced also gets processed through the condenser to lower humidity levels inside the home. Depending on the type of filtration, dust, lint, pollen, mold spores, and other allergens such as pollens and molds also get filtered out of the system.

The HVAC also gives off warm air. The heater blows the warmed air through the same ventilation ducts and air registers used by the air conditioning system.

There are several advantages of using a central HVAC unit for residential properties. Here are some:

Benefits of Central Air Conditioning Units

  1. A central HVAC unit is the most effective way of cooling a home since it has vents and registers throughout the whole area. Since the ductwork and vents have been carefully planned, such detail ensures that every area in the home stays comfortably cool.
  2. It is easy to operate. A central HVAC unit is very convenient to use since it gets controlled through a single control panel system. In this control panel, the temperature can be set and programmed through the day. Depending on the other features of the HVAC, the temperature may also be controlled per area at home.
  3. The Central HVAC Air helps promote good indoor air quality. The Central HVAC system improves indoor air quality through its filtration system. Depending on the set features of the filter, impurities like molds, dust, debris, pollen, among other allergens like mold spores can be filtered out of the house.
  4. Central HVAC Units are Multi-Functional. A central unit can be used as an air conditioning system during the summer months and a heater during the winter season. It improves the indoor climate and ensures every household member remains comfortably warm or cold, depending on the current outdoor temperature. Since Central HVACs are multi-purpose, there is no need to buy and install a separate system for home heating. There will also be no need to put up separate ducts, vents, and registers as the system uses the same air pathways to deliver chilled or warmed up air.
  5. Central HVAC Units operate quietly. One may not even notice the subtle hum of a central air conditioning San Diego system unless it is eerily silent in the house. One of the features that are appreciated by Central HVAC users is that their AC or Heat is hardly noticed. It is just felt. This is perfect for everyday use really, especially when some babies or infants should not be disturbed while sleeping. Other types of Air Conditioning systems, specifically the window type units, generate noise when in use. The sound is even louder upon turning the unit on.
  6. Centralized HVAC systems do not affect the overall look of a house. Going for a minimalist look? Central HVAC systems can hardly be noticed as cold air gets blown only thorough the registers. The central operating system is outdoors, and it just blows chilled air through the ductwork. There is no physical unit inside that could affect the over-all design and look of the interiors.
  7. Central HVAC units are space-saving. Concerning the HVAC not changing a home’s interiors, central HVAC units also do not use up indoor space. For smaller homes where every inch of floor space matters, this will count. For instance, window-type air conditioning units or the mini-split have indoor units. The mini-split would have to be mounted in a portion of the wall. A window-type air conditioning unit, on the other hand, needs to be installed in a window or would require a permanent niche in a wall. Tower air conditioning systems are the highest offenders in terms of space. It is like a refrigerator that needs to be positioned in the room or home area that needs to be cooled.

Drawbacks of Installing a Central HVAC System

Like any other type of air conditioning system, there are drawbacks to installing a central HVAC. For instance, if there is no existing ductwork in the house,  it will be costly to have ductwork installed.

Central HVAC systems can also be more expensive to run. Compared to window air conditioning units or mini-split systems that cool only specific portions of a house, the Central HVAC cools the whole house. If the entire house does not need to be fully air-conditioned, then it may not be efficient to use a centralized HVAC system. A Central HVAC Units For Homes will automatically cool the whole house since the chilled air is supplied through the ducts.

 Find a Reliable HVAC Contractor

A substantial factor that determines the efficient operation of a central air conditioning and heating system is the expertise of the HVAC Contractor that installed the system. A licensed HVAC Contractor can dispense advice on the network to use given the home structure. He can also accurately determine the capacity needed to cool or heat the whole home.

Homeowners have to keep in mind that only a licensed HVAC Contractor can correctly install a centralized HVAC system. Homeowners should never attempt to install one by themselves even if the ductwork is already in place.

Moreover, a reliable contractor can be contacted in case anything goes wrong with the operation of the air conditioning system. Warranties and insurances are in place as well, in case something comes up. Also, having a direct line with a trustworthy HVAC Contractor will mean that annual preventive maintenance checks can be carried out without fuss. Just set up a reminder every period, and set an appointment with the contractor. Some could even remind homeowners when their Centralized air conditioning system is up for a maintenance check.

When to Replace a Home AC System

The home air conditioning system is one of the major appliances in any home. It ensures overall comfort and convenience and could even last for two decades depending on usage. Time will come though that it will get worn out and would need replacement. The need to upgrade into a new unit is usually not very obvious to every homeowner, especially if the household is looking to save on costs and make the most of their home appliances and furnishings.

But air conditioning repair San Diego experts warn that postponing AC replacement could do more harm than good. First, they say that if a homeowner is looking to save on cost, sticking to an AC that is not as energy efficient as newer models in the market is counterproductive. Upgrading to a more economical AC system may seem like an upfront investment, but it will surely lower the monthly utility and maintenance costs of the household.

Drawbacks of postponing air conditioning replacement

Another drawback of foregoing air conditioning replacement is increased carbon emission. Most older units require more energy to operate, and so, they emit more carbon than needed. This is harmful to the environment, and so homes who would like to minimize their carbon footprint should think twice about foregoing their much-needed AC replacement.

Another disadvantage of postponing AC replacement is the inconvenience of having to call for repairs now and then. Equipment breakdown is very likely, and usually, it happens during the most inopportune time. This causes stress to the homeowner who has to look for a technician, schedule the repair, and be home for the repair when he has work or business elsewhere. This situation can carry on for much longer too since ACs at the end of their life cycle are also highly likely to break down frequently. Besides, frequent repairs also cost a significant amount of money, which defeats the purpose of holding on to an older unit to save money from buying a newer air conditioner.

Another obvious drawback of postponing AC replacement is the discomfort. Most end-of-life air conditioners could no longer cool the whole home as they do back when they were new. Moreover, possible breakdowns during the hot summer months only give way to discomfort for every member of the household.

Signs on When to Replace the Air Conditioners

  1. Frequent breakdowns. When the AC seems to break down several times a year, and it is more than 10 years old then it is time to seriously consider replacing it.
  2. Sky-high utility bills. When the cooling bills skyrocket even without changes in the household’s usage patterns then there is possibly an ongoing issue with the air conditioner. Have it checked and reevaluate if the existing unit is still worth keeping especially if it has been used for more than 10 years.
  3. Age of the air conditioner. ACs usually last for 12 to 15 years, if the existing AC is in its end-of-life stage, it is best to replace it before it starts causing inconveniences. Anyhow, some cities and even sellers and manufacturers issue rebates and tax breaks for switching to eco-friendlier AC models.