Choosing the right HVAC system for your Gilbert, AZ home can feel like an overwhelming task. This is particularly true since many people are not aware of the full range of choices available. At A/C & Plumbing Doctors, we can work with you to identify the right HVAC system, but you’ll feel more confident with the information below in mind. Your physical space, as well as your needs, preferences, and priorities, are all important in making a decision that you’ll be happy with.
Size
The right size HVAC system is critical. You might assume that it’s better to err on the side of having a too-large system than one that’s too small, but this really isn’t the case. A system that’s too large will be as ineffective at heating and cooling your home as one that is too small. That’s because it will reach the temperature too quickly and then turn off. This is known as “short cycling.” Its effects include inconsistent temperatures throughout your home, higher humidity, and wear and tear on the system that shortens its lifespan.
When determining the right HVAC size for your home, both its square footage and the number of occupants are important factors. However, there are a few other factors that we may need to consider as well. Two homes with the duplicate square footage and the same number of occupants may require HVAC systems of different sizes if one home receives a significant amount of sunlight and the other does not. Below are some of the additional points that may affect the size of your home’s HVAC system:
- Insulation
- Ceiling height
- Number of windows
- Home’s direction/orientation
Climate
In Gilbert, our summers are long and hot, and our winters are mild. Those winters don’t tend to put too much demand on the HVAC system, but you’ll need a new cooling system that’s robust enough to rise to the demands of summer. When we help you determine which HVAC system is right for you, we’ll keep these challenges in mind.
Additionally, dry air is complemented by a system that effectively manages humidity levels in your home. Indoor air that’s too dry can lead to discomfort and respiratory problems.
Budget
We’ll work with you to find a system that’s right and is also within your budget. There are three key factors to consider when it comes to budgeting. There are the costs of the system, the installation, and the running costs. If you’re in your forever home, you may want to consider investing in a high-efficiency heating and cooling system to help keep your energy bills low in the years to come. If you anticipate moving on in the next few years, you may want to opt for the system that’s cheaper to purchase and install.
Several factors influence the cost of the system. If you’ve got some wiggle room in your budget, you’ll need to consider how important those factors are to you compared to how much you’re willing and able to spend.
Ducted vs. Ductless
One of the decisions you’ll need to make is whether to choose an HVAC system with ductwork or a ductless system. If you already have ductwork, installing a traditional HVAC system will be more cost-effective. However, ductless systems are generally more efficient, and they may cost less to run over the years compared to conventional systems.
If you don’t already have ducts, the cost of installing them could be comparable to the cost of installing ductless mini-splits. Additionally, consider the invasiveness of installing ducts throughout your home. We always strive to cause as little disruption as possible, but this is a significant project that can take several days to complete.
There are a few additional considerations as well. For example, indoor ductless units are mounted to the wall or ceiling or placed on the floor. Some people dislike the look of them.
Zoned Heating and Cooling
Zoned heating and cooling is a particularly important aspect of a ductless mini-split system that you may want to consider when making your decision.
When it comes to traditional HVAC systems, a central thermostat controls the heat or AC for your entire home. With ductless mini-splits, you have one outdoor unit connected to multiple indoor units. Each of those indoor units cools and heats one room or zone and has its own individual thermostat.
This means you can cool or heat one area without affecting the rest of your home. It also means that you can set different temperatures for different parts of the house. This can be useful if people in your household prefer different temperatures or if you have areas of the home that are significantly warmer or cooler than the rest.
Another advantage of ductless mini-splits is scalability. If you add onto your home, you can install another indoor unit.
For some people, the convenience of zoned temperatures is a substantial advantage over traditional HVAC systems.
Energy Efficiency
The short answer when it comes to energy efficiency is that ductless HVAC is more efficient than ducted systems, but there’s really a lot more to energy efficiency than that. How you use your system is also a factor. Additionally, different models have varying efficiency ratings.
SEER2 is the system that rates the average efficiency for AC. The Department of Energy mandates a particular SEER2 rating by region based on capacity and type of AC. A higher SEER2 rating indicates greater efficiency, but there’s another number that you may want to consider in a climate as hot as ours. The SEER2 measures how the system operates when the temperature is 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Given the intensity of the heat, this number may be even more important.
For systems in Arizona that are under 45,000 BTU, the minimum SEER2 rating is 14.3 and the minimum EER2 rating is 11.7. For larger systems, the SEER2 must be at least 13.8, and the EER2 must be at least 11.2.
There are various efficiency ratings for heating systems as well. We’ll work with you to help you choose a system with a rating that suits your needs.
Thermostat
You should also consider whether you’d prefer a manual, programmable or smart thermostat. Programmable and smart thermostats offer many of the same advantages. Still, one key benefit of a smart thermostat is that you can adjust it remotely using your phone, even when you’re away from home. Some smart thermostats can also make adjustments based on your patterns and on when you leave the house.
Trusted HVAC Services in Gilbert
Since 2008, our family-owned company has been committed to ensuring customer satisfaction. We’ve received numerous awards for our service, including the Angi Super Service Award, the Nextdoor Neighborhood Faves Award, and multiple Community Votes Platinum Awards. We offer a full array of HVAC services, including maintenance, repair and replacement for your heating and cooling systems. To discuss your HVAC needs or schedule a service appointment, contact A/C & Plumbing Doctors today.
