According to our energy consulting experts, average families spend about $2,200 on energy each year, and half of the cost goes toward heating and cooling. When you’re looking for a new HVAC system, choosing the right size and type is the key to having a more energy efficient home.
Single zone: Single zone heating and cooling systems are great for small spaces.
Multi-zone: Best for small and medium-sized homes, multi-zone HVAC systems let you adjust the comfort levels for two to eight zones independently.
Whole house: Whole house systems are best for mid-sized and large houses. They let you adjust the comfort levels for up to eight rooms.
Heat Recovery Ventilators: Heat recovery ventilators have a cross-flow heat exchanger that exhausts the stale air from inside the home and traps the heat. The system then draws fresh air from outside the home and distributes the filtered air and recovered heat throughout the home.
The best way to determine the right HVAC size for your home is with the help of an energy consulting professional. They’ll take into consideration factors like the age of your home, the direction your home faces and your floor plan. Using high-tech tools and years of experience with different buildings, an energy analyst can determine the assembly and components of your house, to match the heat loss of the rooms and house as close as possible to the new equipment. The expert can also help ensure the proper installation of your new HVAC equipment, as those that are poorly installed are 30 percent less energy efficient.
When choosing a heating and cooling system for your home, keep its pressure dynamics, building shell leakage, insulation and duct design in mind. When the building envelop is tight and the mechanical equipment the right size, you’ll have a more energy efficient home and lower energy costs. Talk to an energy consultants to learn more.