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Blog

How to Pick the Right HVAC System for Your Home

7/1/2021

22 Comments

 
​The relentless Texas heat is here which means HVAC replacement season is in full swing. Investing in an HVAC system is a big decision, and you don’t want to pick the wrong one for your home – so how do you know which system is the right one?  
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First, get familiar with the following equipment and efficiency ratings:
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The table below shows efficiency ratings for good, better and best heating and cooling equipment.
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  • SEER means Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio and provides an annual measure of the efficiency of the air conditioner. Higher numbers use less energy.
  • AFUE means Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. Higher numbers use less energy.
  • HSPF means Heating Seasonal Performance Factor. Higher numbers use less energy.
 
There are 3 types of ratings that you should be aware of [1]:
 
  1. Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) – This is the rating used to measure the efficiency of heat pumps and air conditioners. Higher ratings indicate that the system uses less energy. Brands with the highest efficiency are rated at 22+. Air conditioners and heat pumps with a rating of 14 and above have Energy Stars affixed.
  2. Average Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) – This is the standard measurement that is used to indicate the level of efficiency of oil-fired and gas furnaces. A high rating is an indication of greater heating efficiency. For example, a 60% AFUE rating indicates that the furnace converts up to 60% of the fuel (gas or oil) to heat your home. The remaining 40% goes out the flue. Choose a furnace with an AFUE rating of not less than 78%. The most efficient furnaces are rated at 98.5%.
  3. Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) – This measurement gauges the energy efficiency of heat pumps. A higher HSPF rating indicates that your heat pump uses less energy, meaning it is more efficient to run. The most efficient heat pumps are rated at 13+. Heat pumps with a rating of 8.2 and above have Energy Stars affixed to highlight their efficiency.
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Why it’s important to have the right sized system.
 
Now that you understand the types of equipment and their efficiency ratings you can look at what size equipment is right for your home.
 
One of the biggest mistakes people make when selecting an HVAC system on their own is they tend to get a larger system than what they need which can lead to multiple problems.
 
Humidity is a key factor when talking about cooling a home – which Houston has plenty of. A cooling system that is too big will cool down the temperature in your home quickly, but it will not run long enough to remove the amount of humidity necessary from the air. This will result in your air feeling cool but clammy, yuck. To get rid of the clamminess, you'll end up turning down the thermostat even more which makes the unit run longer and increases the energy bill. Other disastrous results can occur from not ridding your home properly of humidity like mold and mildew growth along with other moisture related damage.
 
A properly sized unit will run just long enough to remove the necessary amount of humidity from the air allowing you to sit comfortable in your home at a higher thermostat setting which ultimately saves you money on your energy bill.
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Photo: Mold and mildew growth along with other moisture related damage.
How to calculate the right system for your home.
 
To understand which system is a perfect fit for your home whether installing from scratch or upgrading an existing unit you’ll need to calculate the load of your home.
 
The load of the home is partly dependent upon the home’s square footage. However, a true load calculation goes beyond that. An accurate load determination includes building construction; orientation to the sun; “R” value of the insulation; number, size, and placement of rooms; number, size, and placement of windows and doors; types of windows and doors (thermal efficiency); number and arrangement of floors; and the climate. [1]

Sounds like a lot to consider, right? It is! Which is why relying on a professional is usually best for fitting a new system to your home.
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Hiring a professional.
 
Country Air will take the headache out of choosing the perfect HVAC system for your home. Our experts will work with your budget as well as the needs of your home to find the perfect fit. We offer free estimates, second opinions and financing options on HVAC replacement. Call us with your list of questions today and we’ll be happy to get you back to cool comfort fast in your home. 281-356-8564
 
 
Sources:
[1] https://www.servicechampions.net/blog/how-to-select-the-right-hvac-system-for-your-house/

22 Comments
Braden Bills link
8/12/2021 10:11:47 am

I want to make sure that I get the right air conditioning system for my home. It makes sense that I would want to get one that's good at being energy efficient! That way, I can ensure that it won't be too expensive to run.

Reply
Country Air
9/1/2021 11:07:03 am

Hi Braden, thanks for the comment and reading our blog! Yes, definitely consider an energy efficient unit. Your HVAC professional should be able to give you good recommendations on the right sized unit for your home. Take care!

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Hailey Miller link
9/8/2021 12:32:15 am

Thanks for pointing out that a high rating of AFUE is an indication of greater heating efficiency. This is really helpful because I am planning to have a heating system before my parents come to visit next month. With this, I will be looking for experts on Monday who can install a heating system in my bungalow house within two hours.

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Chance Cook link
9/10/2021 07:46:28 am

It's good to know that the highest efficiency-rated companies have ratings of 22+. I want the best system that will help lower my monthly bill. So I'll be sure to look for a company that has one of these high ratings.

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Tex Hooper link
9/15/2021 05:43:57 pm

I think you are right about how humidity is a key factor to cooling the home. I need to get a contractor to help out with my outdoor unit. It keeps turning off and on randomly.

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Jane Guff link
9/20/2021 06:19:31 pm

I had no idea that you had to calculate the load of your home to understand which system will be the best fit. I definitely agree that since it is a lot to consider, it is important to seek the help of a professional. With the weather starting to cool down, my family and I are looking for someone to come install a heating system in our old home. I'll be sure to ask them to help me calculate my home's load.

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Bend Oregon HVAC link
9/21/2021 08:03:33 pm

This is such a great info on how to pick right HVAC. I really appreciate it. Thanks a lot

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Erika Brady link
9/30/2021 12:48:26 pm

I'm glad that you mentioned that there are different fuel options for HVAC systems. My cousin needs to get a new system. Maybe she can look into getting a system that uses heating oil.

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John Carston link
10/20/2021 03:21:30 am

I like how you mentioned that a properly sized air conditioner unit will run enough to remove the necessary amount of humidity from the air that allows you to sit comfortable. My uncle mentioned to me last night that he is planning to buy air conditioning unit and asked me if I have any idea what is the best option as he lack knowledge about the power and other aspects of an air conditioner. Thanks to this informative article and I'll be sure to tell her that we can consult a professional air conditioning installation company that can help us figure out the right size and power of his air conditioner.

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Olivia Smart link
10/25/2021 10:14:10 am

Thank you for explaining that we'll need to have the right sized system. My friend has been thinking about getting a new air conditioning unit for her home. I'll be sure to pass this on to her so that she can pick the right one for her home.

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Mia Evans link
10/28/2021 06:25:57 pm

Thanks for pointing out that a residential air conditioning unit that is too big for the home will not run long enough to remove the humidity in one's home. I guess I need to talk to professionals to pick the right unit. It's because I am moving to a bigger house next month that is why I need a new unit that will be the best fit for it.

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Millie Hue link
11/8/2021 11:59:25 pm

Thanks for helping me understand that the load of the home must be calculated first to pick the right size of the unit we need. I guess I would hire professional air con installations services instead to help me pick the best system for my flat. My flat is just a small one with two rooms, so I need one unit that can cover all the rooms as well using a centralized ventilation system.

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Joven Ruthford link
11/9/2021 01:20:53 pm

To get rid of the clamminess, you'll end up turning down the thermostat even more which makes the unit run longer and increases the energy bill. Other disastrous results can occur from not ridding your home properly of humidity like mold and mildew growth along with other moisture related damage.

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Zachary Tomlinson link
11/30/2021 07:34:42 am

Thanks for the heads up that an efficient air conditioner could help regulate the temperature around your property without denting your savings. I want to help my friend with his plan to build his dream home after the pandemic. He should look into a professional air conditioner expert for emergencies if he decides to install one.

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Learn more link
12/26/2021 08:08:14 am

This will result in your air feeling cool but clammy, yuck. To get rid of the clamminess, Thank you for the beautiful post!

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Residential Roof Installation Foley Al link
12/30/2021 08:52:55 am

HVAC and it’s one of the most complex systems to have. Here are some tips to help you choose a cost-effective, eco-friendly system for your comfort.

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Vivian Black link
1/14/2022 08:36:15 am

It is interesting what you posted about the load of your home when determining the right air conditioner goes further than just the square footage. I never thought about how the orientation to the sun might be a factor. This explains why our air conditioner is inadequate since the largest windows have a heavy dose of sunlight all summer. We are considering calling an HVAC contractor to remedy this with a new install.

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Kristofer Van Wagner link
2/24/2022 01:05:54 am

This post made an excellent point that one of the many benefits of working with an experienced HVAC contractor is that they can help determine the level of efficiency that is suitable for your home. The other day my wife mentioned that we need to have our HVAC unit replaced to beat the heat. After reading this post, I will definitely look at hiring someone reliable and experienced to have get our HVAC needs sorted.

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Thomas Clarence link
3/22/2022 04:16:15 pm

It was really interesting when you mentioned that it is important to calculate the load of your home before purchasing a new HVAC system. Would an HVAC contractor be able to quickly calculate the load of a home? It seems like a contractor would know which heating and cooling unit would be best for your home.

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Eli Richardson link
4/20/2022 02:17:34 pm

I'm glad you explained how to select an air conditioner that fits our house's cooling needs. Last summer, we decided that we'd install an air conditioning system this year. My wife and I want to buy a cooling unit before the heat gets worse, so we'll be sure to read your tips first. Thank you for the advice on how our house's location and humidity impact our HVAC needs.

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Know More link
5/14/2022 03:03:39 pm

The climate and region you live in are crucial to choosing the right HVAC system as your heating and cooling needs will vary based on whether you live in a hot and humid climate or in cold weather.

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Henry Killingsworth link
5/31/2022 02:34:56 pm

Thank you for helping me to understand why it is important to have the right HVAC system for a home. I would like to upgrade my furnace and AC system. Picking the right system should help me make my home more comfortable.

Reply



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