Considerations for Choosing a New HVAC System
By Pat Martinez, Owner of West Coast Mechanical
Energy efficiency is an important factor for choosing a new HVAC system, but just because a system is marketed as “high-efficiency” doesn’t mean it’s the best choice for your situation. Here are some additional factors to consider when choosing a new system:
Size
Even a highly efficient HVAC system can waste energy and money if it’s too big or too small for your home or business. That’s because oversized systems cost more at the outset and throughout their lifespans if they’re pumping out more hot or cold air than your building needs. Likewise, an undersized system will have to work extremely hard, which strains its capabilities and uses additional energy.
Power Requirements
The type of power you plan to run your system on (natural gas, electricity, etc.) will factor into its long-term operating costs and may affect installation costs as well.
Climate Conditions
In the Bay Area, high-efficiency units aren’t always worth the extra cost due to the mildness of the climate. Climate conditions can vary depending on your home or building’s specific location, but it’s an important thing to be aware of.
Additional Factors
Other factors to consider when making your choice are the layout of your home or building, your current HVAC system setup, ongoing maintenance requirements and your specific preferences. Discuss these and the aforementioned factors with a licensed HVAC contractor to get recommendations on what type of system will work best for your home or business.
