The right HVAC system can help to keep your home comfortable, regardless of what the weather forecast holds. However, with several kinds of technology on the market, it isn’t always easy to know what to pick. Here’s a closer look at the most popular types of residential HVAC systems and how to tell if they’re right for your household. 

What HVAC System Should You Choose?

1. Forced-Air System

Traditional heating and cooling systems rely on two main components: an indoor furnace with an air handler and an outdoor air conditioning unit with a compressor. During winter, the interior furnace operates to heat air and push it through the house via ductwork. When the weather warms up, the compressor pushes refrigerant through cooling coils in the air handler, using condensation to remove heat and humidity from the air. 

Forced-air systems are controlled by standard thermostats and are better in homes with existing ductwork or new construction, as vents can be difficult to add in homes with plaster walls or without space for a network of ducts. 

2. Heat Pump System

Heat pump systems are designed to use refrigerant to absorb heat in your home and transport it outdoors in the summer. The technology operates in the opposite direction during winter, pulling warmth from outdoor air and bringing it inside. Geothermal heat pumps are designed with coils that are buried underground and take advantage of the steady temperature there to provide heat or cooling power to your home. 

Heat pumps are incredibly energy-efficient and can reduce your winter electrical costs by as much as 50% when compared to electric-resistance heat sources. Heat pumps are ideal for households where ongoing utility costs are a concern or in areas where the climate is mild, as these systems aren’t able to extract sufficient warmth from outside air that lingers below freezing for long periods. 

3. Ductless Mini-Split

Ductless mini-split systems are smaller versions of heat pumps and are designed to heat or cool small spaces, such as a single bedroom or a medium-sized open-concept area. In a home with many enclosed rooms, multiple indoor air handlers can be routed to a single outdoor unit.

These systems don’t require any venting and are ideal for homes where inhabitants require personalized climate control. For instance, if your aging mother tends to feel cold, adding a ductless mini-split to her living quarters would allow her to turn up the heat when she needs to—without impacting the temperature throughout the rest of the home. 

If you’re thinking about updating your HVAC system, turn to Richmond Hill Air Conditioning. For more than 30 years, this trusted team of licensed, certified professionals has been focused on installing, maintaining, and repairing all of the best brands in HVAC equipment, including Trane®, Lennox®​​​​​​​, and Carrier®​​​​​​​. Learn more about how they can help you to improve your Bryan County, GA, home by visiting their website. Call (912) 756-2288 to schedule an estimate today.