Whether you live in a region that experiences high temperatures or low temperatures, choosing the right heating, ventilation & air conditioning (HVAC) system is one of the most important decisions you’ll need to make for your home. By controlling internal temperatures, HVAC systems control the different environmental aspects of a home. These include humidity, air movement, and distribution—all of which have a direct impact on your quality of life.
Installing an HVAC system requires significant investment. With different types of air conditioning systems available in the market, finding one that fits your needs can be an uphill task. You need to plan and conduct a careful search to get a system that keeps your living space comfortable throughout the year. Different types of HVAC systems work better or worse in different situations.
The Packaged Heating & Air Conditioning (PTAC) system works well when you need to distribute air across different structure elements. If you have plans of buying an HVAC system, here are four ways to find the right one:
1. Pay Attention To Energy Efficiency
An energy-efficient air conditioner is critical when it comes to keeping your living spaces cool and ensuring air quality in your home. For PTAC equipment, you can quickly determine energy efficiency by looking at the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). A high SEER rating means an air conditioner has high energy efficiency.
Getting a conditioner with a SEER of 16 points or more can lower your energy bill by 40%. However, this doesn’t mean you always have to buy new PTAC equipment. You can find a high-performing, energy-efficient unit from a supplier of refurbished PTAC units.
In addition to SEER, consider the air conditioner’s scroll compressor speed. Opt for an air conditioner with a variable-speed compressor rather than a reciprocating compressor since the former is less noisy. Also, opt for a conditioner with an aluminum evaporator coil rather than steel or copper coils. Aluminum coils are less prone to corrosion and leaks than steel or copper coils.
2. Pick A Programmable Or Digital Thermostat
Getting an air conditioner with a reliable thermostat model is critical because you use it to regulate temperatures. When buying PTAC equipment, avoid those that use analog thermostat models—these are inaccurate and, hence, unreliable. Instead, go for PTAC equipment that uses either programmable or digital thermostats.
A digital thermostat allows you to regulate temperatures better, offers consistent results, and responds quickly to temperature changes. On the other hand, programmable thermostats can lower the cost of cooling living spaces and allow you to set temperature adjustments in 24 hours.
3. Get The Right HVAC Size
When choosing an HVAC system, you need to pay attention to its size. An air conditioner that has the right size will cool your internal temperatures just a bit higher than your thermostat settings and extract the moisture that may be present in the air.
Checking the size of your HVAC system enables you to achieve greater comfort in your home, lower your utility bills by saving energy, and control humidity more effectively. You also won’t have to keep starting and stopping it. A properly sized HVAC system runs well for a longer time, too.
Contrary to what many people believe, an oversized HCAV doesn’t necessarily mean higher efficiency. Though they increase or lower internal temperatures, oversized HCAVs require frequent replacements, additional maintenance fees, high energy consumption, and reduced humidity control, which results in moisture or mold growth.
An undersized HVAC system on the other side can cause your energy bills to go through the roof. It runs throughout, making it difficult to achieve comfortable temperature levels.
4. Consider The Ductwork Required
When installing an HVAC system, you must pay attention to the PTAC equipment, particularly the required ducts. Get a contractor to check the ducts in your house to determine the duct size you’ll need.
This will help you know whether they are in good shape or not before you can proceed with your search. If your broken ducts or joints haven’t been sealed well, the efficiency of your HVAC will be compromised seriously. Hiring a contractor will enable you to insulate these flaws completely.
Last Word
Anytime you need to purchase or replace an HVAC system in your home or commercial property, you are required to make a major investment. You can’t afford to make a mistake. Instead, you’ve got to invest time and ensure that the HVAC system you buy is the right one.
Using several criteria to guide your search is the surest way to choose the right system. Use the four points discussed above to find an HVAC system that best suits your home or office.
