Simplified HVAC Purchasing Guide
A SIMPLE CHECKLIST TO HELP GUIDE YOU
THROUGH THE PURCHASING PROCESS
- How to navigate the newest trends in heating and cooling systems and make the right choice, begin by reviewing these pages, and use them to help lead you to a more informed decision.
What Does Comfort Mean to Me?
A PERSONAL ASSESSMENT OF MY CURRENT SYSTEM AND NEEDS
Plan ahead so you can avoid being forced into making an emergency decision during extreme weather conditions. The following checklist will help you narrow to down your choices.
My Personal Comfort (check all that apply)
______I’ve noticed that some rooms in my home are hotter or colder than others. (This indicates that you have an air distribution problem. Either some duct work needs to be balanced to allow greater/less airflow into areas or a furnace with a variable speed blower would help to balance out the differences)
______I currently have separate thermostats or zones. (Knowing this helps to understand what type of furnace or air conditioner will fit your needs. A "staged heating or cooling unit will work better with a zone system because it can provide less conditioned air when only one zone is calling).
______I’d like the ability to control different areas in my home, assigning different settings to each. (This is called a zone system. Dampers can be added into your existing air distribution system that open and close when a certain "zone" calls for conditioned air).
______I’ve added on to my existing home. (When a home has been added onto there is a possibility that the original furnace or air conditioner will not be up to the task of heating/cooling the new space. Systems are designed to match the size of the home when they are installed. A review of the new space and air distribution is in order).
______I may add on rooms in the future. (This is always a hard question. Unless you have hard and fast plans to increase the size of your home I would suggest properly sizing your equipment for the existing home configuration).
______In summer the thermostat is set at: 65-68 70-72 74-76 78-80 (circle one) (This will point you in the direction of the correct efficiency of air conditioner for your particular use. The lower you set the thermostat the more advantageous a high efficiency -17-21- air conditioner will be, you will save more money using it. If you are on the high end of the thermostat setting a standard efficiency unit -13-16- would be better suited to your needs).
My Indoor Air Quality (check all that apply)
______I have pets. (Pets are wonderful but they bring extra dirt and grime into your home, a media filter or even an air purifier will help eliminate pet hair and the like)
______Members of my household suffer from allergies. (Allergy sufferers can be helped by installing a Air Purifier onto your furnace. An Air Purifier is not an electronic air cleaner, it is a 4" media filter with a electrical charge to help capture and kill 99% of the germs and allergens that pass through it).
______I’m concerned about high levels of pollen, dust, or mold. (High levels of any toxic substance is never good. An Air Purifier can help eliminate all of these items. Finding the root cause of the dust or mold will help even more).
______I have a small child.
______My current system seems noisy.
______I’d like to be able to control the humidity in my home.
______I’d like to be able to control the temperature in my home
while I’m away.
My Financial Investment
Several factors can affect your budget…
both at the time of your purchase and
in the years to come.
RATING-It might make sense to invest a little more up front, so you will have greater savings in the long run.
Each system bears a universal rating regarding energy efficiency, fuel utilization, and seasonal performance. A higher rating means greater efficiency which in turn will lower your utility bills.
Take a look at your current system, make a note of the following ratings so you can compare your present system to the ratings on a new system.
Air Conditioner Rating:
8 9 10 11 12
Furnace Rating:
50% 60% 70% 80% 90%
Boiler Rating:
50% 60% 70% 80% 90%
TAX CREDITS & UTILITY REBATES
When you purchase certain high efficiency systems you may be eligible for Tax Credits or Rebates from NICOR, People Gas, North Shore Gas or ComEd.
Knowing that you will be getting money back could influence your decision as to which system
is right for you.
What Are the Latest Technologies to Consider?
#2 My Options
WHATS OUT THERE
Most likely, a lot has happened in the HVAC industry since the last time you invested in a heating or
cooling system. Here’s a quick overview:
Ø Variable-Speed, Two Speed, Single Speed
It used to be that systems were only single-speed.
This meant they were either on or off.
Now, variable-speed and two-speed systems
can automatically “shift gears” and adjust
their settings to accommodate various
environments. For example; if the system
senses that it would be more efficient to run on
a lower setting for a longer period of time,
it will…and the airflow in your home will be
more constant. That results in even, comfortable
temperatures and greater
Energy Efficiency.
Ø Ductless Systems
Ductless systems (often referred to as mini-split systems) are just that – they are mounted on a wall and require no ductwork to operate. They are ideal if you have added a room, or would like to heat or cool a
specific area in your home that is not covered by your furnace; such as a remodeled attic, man cave, or playroom. Ductless Systems are extremely efficient, because they use less power and deliver the air directly into a particular area or zone.
Ø Smart Technology and Home Automation
Intuitive mobile Apps allow you to monitor and
control components of your home from virtually
anywhere…everything from heating and cooling,
to lights, and even security systems. For example,
have you ever left for vacation during an
exceptionally cold period of time? Wouldn’t it be
nice to be sent an alert if the temperature in your
home falls below a certain degree?
Smart Technology lets you monitor how your home
is doing even if you are hundreds of miles away.
What Are the Latest Technologies to Consider?
#2 My Options (cont.)
WHAT’S OUT THERE
Ø
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)
If you have pets, small children, or if someone in
home struggles with allergies, Indoor Air Quality
Systems can help to ensure that the air in your home
is as clean as possible and healthy to breath.
Humidifiers, ventilators, ultraviolet lights, air
purifiers and monitors can all work together to help
make your entire household more comfortable.
Ø High-Efficiency Systems
Installing a high-efficiency system can result in lower utility bills and quieter operation. A high-efficiency system may make you eligible for tax credits and utility rebates. Systems include; air conditioners, gas furnaces, gas boilers, fan coils, and heat pumps.
Ø
Zoning Systems
It’s possible to control the air in particular areas
in your home depending on where you spend the
most time or which areas tend to be naturally warmer
or cooler than others. For example; you may want
different settings for sleeping areas vs living rooms;
or sunny rooms vs shaded ones.
Ø Hybrid Heat Dual Fuel System
Hybrid heat dual fuel systems consist of a heat pump for electricity-fueled heating and cooling, a gas furnace, an evaporator coil and a control. The system automatically selects the most economical fuel source – gas or electric – based on data through the control to heat the home with maximum efficiency. Because the system provides the flexibility to work with multiple fuel sources, it provides additional protection from unpredictable fuel cost increases.
Ø Geothermal Systems
Geothermal systems use thermal energy found
underground, or in a pond or large body of water.
Geothermal heat pumps are able to maintain very
high efficiencies in both winter and summer…and
because they’re installed indoors, their lifespan is
longer than an ordinary outdoor HVAC unit.