Heating and cooling units are complex systems that control climate. Heating and cooling is an important aspect of homes, helping to control the climate indoors throughout the year so you can enjoy the exact level of comfort you desire. However, there are a lot of options when it comes to selecting the right heating and cooling unit. Not all of those options are clear-cut and simple. When selecting the right HVAC unit for your small home, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure you get the most out of your investment. Size An important first step is to match the size of your home to the output of the furnace or air conditioning unit. A unit that is too small will never heat or cool a home sufficiently. A unit that is too large heats and cools too quickly, leading to excess energy consumption. Excess humidity is another issue with air conditioners that are too large for the home, as the motor doesn’t have sufficient time to dry out the air when circulating. That can lead to mold and mildew.

It's also important to ensure to check the type of ductwork for the HVAC system you are considering. Ensure the ductwork is large enough to push the air through your home. Type Natural gas, oil and electric are all fuel for the various HVAC units available on the market. Traditionally, most furnaces run off of natural gas or oil, while air conditioning units run off of electric, but there are also electric furnaces available. The main difference above and beyond the type of fuel/power used to run the device is placement. Furnaces tend to be large, bulky and best located in the basement of a home, and if you have a matching air conditioning unit it is located in the same area. However, stand-alone air conditioners can be placed outside, such as with central air units, or they are mounted on the wall or window and completely separate from the furnace. If you are only looking to cool a single room, consider a wall-mounted or window-mounted unit. Efficiency Rating Check the efficiency rating before finalizing your purchase.

Not all brands, sizes and types of HVAC units are created equal, and all units come with an efficiency rating clearly labeled at the manufacturer or store where you purchase your unit. The government regulations for units is known as SEER — seasonal energy efficiency rating — and the higher the rating the less energy the unit consumes. As a general rule, older units have a lower rating given that technology continues to increase, which means the development and enhancement of units has evolved over time. Most new units have a higher level of energy efficiency compared to older units. Energy efficiency ratings are universal concepts, which means they are the same for large and small homes. Geothermal Versus Traditional Consider a geothermal unit if you plan on installing a heating and cooling system that never needs replacement. The Environmental Protection Agency states that geothermal units have a 30- to 40-percent reduction in energy consumption compared to traditional gas, electric or oil units.

This is because the geothermal heating and cooling is based upon the ground temperature several feet below ground. This temperature rarely changes, regardless of how cold or hot it gets outside, which means less energy is consumed when heating or cooling the home since it is always a similar temperature. However, the price of a geothermal unit is often tens of thousands in comparison to a small home HVAC unit which can be picked up in the mid, four-digit range. best rated 4 ton ac unitIf long-term considerations are your primary concern, go geothermal and save money in the long run while also being energy-conscious. ac window unit fanAlternatives Radiant heating within concrete slabs is another option that can keep you from needing to use a furnace if you live in a temperate climate where below-freezing temperatures are rare. air conditioner unit is frozen

Heat mats underneath tile floors are also an option. Another sustainable choice for small homes is solar heating, although the cost of the solar panels is generally more than a furnace. Swamp coolers that rely upon circulated water and blowing are are also another option for smaller homes in areas where the climate is never excessively hot, as opposed to an actual air conditioning unit. HVAC systems move heat or cold air out of the room when you need. Essentially, your system acts as a transportation system for cold and hot air outside and inside the home. Traditional and mini-duct systems are called upon when they sense temperature changes in the room, however, high-velocity mini-duct systems use much smaller ducts in your walls. In fact, they are often 50% smaller than a traditional duct system. As such, they must use a high-velocity system to produce the same output. As Old House Online perfectly displayed, think of both HVAC systems like drinking straws and paper-towel tubes. The straws represent high-velocity mini-duct systems and paper-towel tubes represent traditional duct systems.

Due to the smaller volume, the straw requires much more energy. As you will soon read, that extra energy actually results in cooler temperatures and less electric costs. Typically, those who want to install a system for heating and cooling the whole home will choose between a low-velocity system (traditional) and a high-velocity system. The latter works through aspiration, which creates currents constantly moving the air and keeping the room at a stable temperature of your choosing. This is in contrast to the more traditional low-velocity or forced air systems, which use diffusion to drop cool air from one vent and then draw air back out through the return. Because of the nature of aspiration, a high-velocity system requires minimal ductwork, and in some cases, all it takes is a small plastic pipe rather than a traditional duct. Chances are, most homeowners researching will already have HVAC installed in their homes. If so, high-velocity HVAC is probably not economical. However, there are two scenarios where high-velocity mini-duct systems are not only ideal, but economical as well.

The first is with new construction. If you’re building a new house, ask your HVAC pro about high-velocity mini-ducts. While their installation cost is a bit more than traditional HVAC systems (not including a heat source), they can save you hundreds in maintenance and utility costs down the line. Furthermore, high-velocity air conditioners are perfect for older homes where space is a concern. When a family has lived in a home for years, you get used to the space you’re given. Well, if a traditional HVAC system was not added when the home was constructed, that means the designer or contractor did not intend for a large duct system. To install a traditional system, the homeowners would have to forfeit valuable square footage around the home. Fortunately, high-velocity mini-duct systems don’t only preserve your space, but the integrity of your home as well. There are plenty of advantages in choosing a high-velocity mini-duct system: Because the ducts used in a high-velocity system are so small, they won't require a lot of remodeling to accommodate them and they won't take up a lot of extra space in the home.

These mini-duct systems are also incredibly efficient at heating and cooling in a hurry, which is a plus for people who tend to turn their systems off during the day and then require instant temperature changes when you return home. To top it all off, high-velocity mini-duct systems can be very quiet, use less energy, remove up to 30% more humidity and be installed in far less time than traditional low-velocity mini-duct systems. While a high-velocity mini duct system might seem perfect, there are some noticeable drawbacks that every homeowner needs to address: For most homeowners, these drawbacks are worth overlooking. Constantly blowing air is simply more effective, so the sensation is not often a problem. While mini-duct air conditioning will have small units installed in the interior of the home, the units are not intrusive and they are typically placed in less noticeable locations. Ultimately, the cost will be the biggest issue, as high-velocity mini-duct systems require a larger initial investment.

Several factors influence the total cost of a high-velocity mini-duct system and each can play a role in the total high-velocity HVAC cost. The following are the primary factors to keep in mind when pricing installation of a high-velocity air conditioning system: As we already said, mini-duct systems usually come with a higher installation cost than most other HVAC systems. Furthermore, if you do not have any HVAC currently installed, you will also need a heat source if you decide to purchase a high-velocity mini-duct unit. As such, in addition to the regular installation cost, you must include the installation price of a heat pump. SpacePak, one of the two major mini-duct manufacturers, says their systems are only compatible with heat pumps. Nevertheless, if you wanted a quick comparison to some of the other prominent HVAC systems in the world, please see all installation prices below: When analyzing the total cost of an HVAC project you must consider repairs, maintenance and utility costs.

While installation is a big piece of the pie, it is not the only one. Fortunately, high-velocity mini-duct systems generally cost less than almost any other HVAC system. Traditional forced-air systems, those using larger ducts, experience duct leakage and some experts believe that leakage can lead to a 25% increase in utility costs. Unico, the other major mini-duct manufacturer, and SpacePak both claim their high-velocity systems have less than 5% duct leakage. Less duct leakage means less work for your system and more savings on your energy bills. Additionally, because the air is always blowing, you can afford to keep the temperature higher than traditional HVAC systems. In fact, some say 70° on a mini-duct thermostat feels like 66° on a traditional system. Finally, maintenance and repair is never far away with HVAC. Because you’re dealing with a much smaller system, repair costs tend to be less expensive. For larger duct systems, HVAC pros and carpenters may have cut large holes in the walls, replace large parts or order brand new parts.