If your heater or air conditioner is more than 10 years old, the savings you will get from a newer, more efficient model is worth a one-time investment. You can lower your utility bills, make your Berryville, Virginia, home more comfortable, and help the environment with a range of energy-saving systems. Heaters and air conditioners that save energy include ductless HVAC systems, geothermal heat pumps, variable-speed systems, and packaged systems.
Ductless HVAC Systems
Ductless or mini-split HVAC systems have one or more indoor compressors or condensers that connect to an outdoor unit by a conduit about 3 inches wide. The conduit houses the power cable, suction tubing, a refrigerant line, and a condensate drain. Since these systems don’t have ductwork, they waste less energy through leaks and use less space in attics, basements, or closets than conventional systems.
Many ductless systems have a separate thermostat for each indoor unit, so you can control the temperatures in different areas or zones separately for better comfort. Zoning keeps people from having to heat or cool empty rooms, and it works best in homes that are large or have more than one story. Some systems come with remote controls for extra convenience, and you can control many systems from your smartphone, tablet, or PC. Without ductwork, ductless systems are also easier to install and maintain.
Geothermal Heat Pumps
Geothermal heat pumps are more efficient than standard heat pumps because they exchange heat with the ground instead of the air, and the temperature stays the same just a few feet underground. An indoor air handling unit connects to a network of underground pipes filled with water or refrigerant.
Many geothermal systems also work as water heaters, so you won’t have to spend money on a conventional water heater. These systems last for up to 25 years, and the underground pipes stay in good condition for up to 100 years with little maintenance. They’re quieter than conventional HVAC systems as well.
Variable-speed HVAC Systems
A variable-speed HVAC system can lower your utility bills, give you better indoor air quality, and last longer than a conventional system. Like geothermal systems, variable-speed systems are more expensive, but the energy savings make the extra investment worthwhile.
A variable-speed system can change its compressor speed, so it stays on longer at lower speeds. This saves energy and controls the humidity in your home better. Low humidity prevents mold growth and makes your home feel more comfortable. The slower fan could even make your home quieter. Since variable-speed systems don’t come on and turn off as often or work as hard as conventional HVAC systems, they’ll even stay working longer. Conventional systems can’t keep you or your family as comfortable as variable-speed HVAC systems because they can only turn on and off.
Packaged HVAC Systems
A packaged HVAC system comes assembled from the factory in a single casing for guaranteed quality and faster, easier installation than conventional systems. Packaged systems are usually less expensive as well, and people can choose window units, wall-mounted units, or rooftop units.
Since all the parts are in one place, maintenance is cheaper. A technician won’t have to travel around your home to fix a problem or install a new system, and compact packaged systems are more efficient. You can choose a packaged system with an electric unit, a gas unit, or a heat pump. They make great supplemental HVAC systems for people who are remodeling their homes, and they can use zoning such as many ductless systems.
Griffith Energy Services has more than 100 years of HVAC experience, and we provide fuel delivery and heating and air conditioning services for home and business owners in five states, from 12 locations. We can help you choose, install, maintain, and repair a new, energy-efficient HVAC system. Call us anytime at 888-474-3391 for excellent service from professional technicians. We guarantee all our repairs for a full year, our diagnostic equipment is top quality, emergency service is available 24 hours a day and seven days a week, and our service trucks have various replacement parts.
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