What key features should you look for when choosing an HVAC system for your home?

Right HVAC System for Your Home in Beaverton, OR

If it’s time to replace your home’s HVAC system, you have the opportunity to choose the most energy-efficient, powerful model in your price range. However, you should consider a few important factors to ensure you’re selecting the right HVAC system for the size of your home, your budget, and your regional climate. Choosing the right HVAC system can actually lower your energy usage and energy bills and maintain the safety and comfort of your home year-round.

At Oregon Heating & Air Conditioning, we know that installing a new HVAC system is a huge decision and a huge investment in the future of your home. We want you to invest wisely and choose a system that will serve your home well for years. Our experienced, knowledgeable HVAC technicians can evaluate the size of your home, your past energy bills, your plans for your home, and your budget and help you pick out an HVAC system that is right for you. We have years of experience in the industry, and we are committed to quality products, quality workmanship, and exceptional customer service. Take a look at our tips for finding the right HVAC system for your home in Beaverton, OR, and then call us to schedule a consultation or request an estimate.

Features to Look for In Choosing the Right HVAC System

When you take the time to explore the features of all HVAC systems, you can choose one that will be the most energy-efficient and effective for your home. Selecting the right HVAC system for your household’s needs requires you to consider the size of your home, the size of your family, your plans for your home, your budget, your average energy usage, and the climate in your area.  This is done by performing an Air Conditioner Contractors of America (ACCA) certified manual j load calculation. If you choose an HVAC system that is the right size for your home and is ENERGY STAR-certified, and you hire an experienced HVAC technician for energy-efficient HVAC installation, you can significantly lower your monthly energy bills. You also want to stay within your budget for HVAC installation, but you don’t want to just buy the smallest or cheapest unit possible. A unit that is too small for your home will never heat or cool it sufficiently. This means your home will never be at a comfortable temperature, and the unit will be running constantly to try to keep up. Your energy bills will increase, and you will need to pay more for HVAC maintenance and repairs. You’ll probably end up needing to replace the unit prematurely. An HVAC technician can help you evaluate your home, needs, goals, and budget so that you choose the right HVAC system for your home. These are our tips for selecting an HVAC system that is within your budget and will serve your home well for years.

Types of HVAC Systems Available

First, you should consider the different types of HVAC systems available. You want to choose the right type of HVAC system for your climate, the size of your home, and your family’s comfort preferences. You also want to consider energy efficiency, cost, maintenance and upkeep, and your plans for your home. The most popular types of HVAC systems are:

• Furnace and Air Conditioner Combination Unit – The most common and popular type of HVAC system is a combination furnace and air conditioner. The furnace will operate by natural gas, propane, electricity, or heating oil. The air conditioner will run on electricity. A furnace/air conditioner combination requires ductwork throughout your home in order to distribute heated or cooled air to each room. If you don’t already have ductwork installed, that will add to the cost of installation, or you can choose a ductless system.
• Air-Source Heat Pumps – An air-source heat pump is a very energy-efficient and cost-effective option, but they work best in mild or moderate climates. Some heat pumps can work in temperatures up to -20 degrees. If electricity is your primary energy source and you want the most efficient heating and cooling method possible, you should consider a heat pump.
• Geothermal Heat Pumps – A geothermal heat pump is very environmentally friendly but requires extensive installation work. It operates by electricity, but exchanges heat with the ground to maintain a consistent in-home temperature throughout the year. To install a geothermal heat pump, a technician will need to set up an underground loop system, and you will need to consider local zoning regulations and environmental factors.
• Ductless Mini-Splits – A ductless mini-split is the perfect option for anyone who doesn’t already have ductwork installed. It is a type of air-source heat pump and operates via electricity. You will need one installed in each room.
• Packaged Systems – Packaged HVAC systems are all-in-one systems that combine heating and cooling units. They are typically installed outside, either on the roof or on the ground near the home. They are best for smaller homes or zoned heating and cooling.

The Size of Your Household & Their Comfort Needs

Next, you need to consider the size of your household and their comfort needs. If you have a large household and everyone has different comfort levels, you might want to consider installing a zoned HVAC system. This allows more control over the temperature in individual rooms like bedrooms. If you have teenagers who want their bedrooms warmer or colder than you prefer, you can keep everyone happy by installing a zoned system with individual thermostats.

The Size of the HVAC System

In addition to considering the size of your household, you will also have to consider the square footage of your home to make sure you choose the right size HVAC system. Installing a system larger than your needs will waste energy and increase your energy bills for no reason. Installing a system that is too small will mean your home won’t be heated or cooled adequately, and you will be spending more money on heating and cooling costs without enjoying the benefits of a comfortable home. Many homeowners think they should get the biggest HVAC unit available because they want their homes to be icy cold all summer and toasty warm all winter. In reality, they are likely choosing a unit that will cycle on and off repeatedly, increasing the wear and tear on the unit and reducing its efficiency. Your HVAC technician can help you find the right balance between the size of your home, your comfort needs, your regional climate, and your budget after performing an Air Conditioner Contractors of America (ACCA) certified manual j load calculation.

Energy-Efficiency & Energy Ratings

Installing an energy-efficient HVAC unit will reduce your carbon footprint, lower your energy bills, and may make you eligible for tax credits or rebates. HVAC units are rated by ENERGY STAR, which is an independent rating system that calculates the energy efficiency of each make, model, and manufacturer of an HVAC unit. The cooling units are rated using the SEER system, or seasonal energy efficiency ratio. The higher the SEER rating of a unit, the more energy-efficient it is. Heating units are rated using the AFUE system, or high annual fuel utilization efficiency. The higher the rating, the more energy-efficient the system is. If you are committed to energy efficiency, choose a cooling unit with a SEER rating of 15 or higher and a heating unit with an AFUE of 90% or higher for gas furnaces.

Whether You Plan on Selling Your Home In the Future

If you plan on selling your home in the future, you shouldn’t buy the cheapest or smallest HVAC unit possible. You will likely need to replace it before you put your home on the market, meaning you will be buying two HVAC units during your time in your home. You will be better off investing in a powerful, energy-efficient HVAC unit that is the right size for your home so that you and your family can enjoy a comfortable home before you sell it. With proper care and maintenance and professional service and repairs, a high-quality HVAC unit can last until you sell your home and may increase your home’s selling price or act as a selling point to potential homebuyers.

Future Maintenance & Repair Costs

You should also consider each HVAC unit’s future maintenance and repair costs. Some units are poorly reviewed, and HVAC technicians and homeowners claim that they break down easily, require frequent or costly repairs, and don’t operate efficiently. If you don’t have the time, money, or energy to commit to frequent repairs and maintenance, you are much better off choosing a high-quality, energy-efficient HVAC brand that has proven to be a great long-term investment. Your HVAC technician can recommend trusted, reputable HVAC brands they have worked with that have proven to be long-lasting and durable.

Your Home’s Indoor Air Quality

Your home’s indoor air quality plays a huge role in your health, comfort, and safety. Poor indoor air quality can cause or contribute to allergies, asthma, and respiratory problems. When choosing the right HVAC system for your home, you should find one proven to improve indoor air quality. Some HVAC systems even offer built-in indoor air quality improvements like air purifiers, humidifiers, and dehumidifiers. Your HVAC technician can measure your indoor air quality and recommend an HVAC unit that will improve your indoor air quality. This is especially important if you have pets in your home, live in a dry or dusty area, live in a very humid or wet area, or have babies or elderly people in your home.

Get Professional Help Choosing the Right HVAC System

At Oregon Heating & Air Conditioning, we can offer professional help and guidance in choosing the right HVAC system for your home in Beaverton, OR, or the surrounding areas. We are a locally owned and operated HVAC company with years of experience in the industry. Our HVAC technicians will work closely with you to assess your needs, goals, budget, the size of your home and household, your plans for your home, and your energy usage.

Our goal is to find you the right HVAC system to improve the comfort, safety, value, and energy efficiency of your home. We only work with the most reliable and durable manufacturers of HVAC systems, and we promise quality workmanship, quality products, and exceptional customer service. We treat our customers and technicians like family and are committed to building lasting customer relationships. Call us today or contact us online to schedule a consultation for HVAC installation. We provide heating and cooling inspections, installations, maintenance, service, replacement, and repairs throughout Oregon, including Beaverton, Portland, Hillsboro, Lake Oswego, Tualatin, Tigard, Sherwood, Wilsonville, Newberg, Dundee, Yamhill, Carlton, and Forest Grove, OR.