When you're building a new home, one of the many decisions you must make is what HVAC system you want to install to heat and cool the dwelling. Air One Heating & Cooling, the leading furnace and air conditioning contractors in Foley, AL, discuss the advantages and disadvantages of traditional and ductless HVAC systems to help you decide which is right for you.

Traditional HVAC Systems

Traditional systems utilize a furnace and central air conditioning unit to heat and cool air, which is then transported to each room of the house via air ducts and steam or water pipes. It is an affordable, unobtrusive, and effective system, and, because it’s popular, it is easy to find contractors who can perform the installation. However, it usually requires the installation of ductwork, which is an avoidable cost if you choose the alternative. The ducts are also a source of energy loss, which means that traditional systems are not as energy-efficient as ductless systems. 

Ductless HVAC Systems

Ductless systems often utilize a heat pump that heats or cools up to four individual rooms with a single outdoor unit. A heat pump is an efficient way of heating and cooling because it doesn't create warmth the way a furnace does; it only moves it around. Essentially, it lets you pump heat outdoors in warm weather and indoors in cold weather. Because of this, it costs little to heat and cool your home, and the lack of ductwork makes such a system even more efficient. It also lets you heat and cool rooms differently to match everyone’s comfort requirements and improve efficiency even further. Unfortunately, ductless systems do not work well when the outside temperature falls below freezing. They are also more obtrusive than traditional central systems, and most systems cannot heat or cool more than four rooms at a time.

Air One Heating & Cooling is the most experienced and reliable furnace and air conditioning company in Foley, AL. Visit them online for contact information, or call (251) 967-1665 to discuss your HVAC system options with a friendly expert.