Do You Need HVAC and Better Smelling Indoor Air?

Is your heating and cooling equipment noisy and inefficient? Does your indoor air smell like dirty socks or chemicals? Did you know that by keeping heating and cooling equipment that is past its prime and working poorly, you are wasting lots of energy and money? You do not have to put up with air that smells bad or is not healthy. You can get new HVAC equipment that filters and cleans the air as well as heating or cooling it. If this equipment is well-maintained, it will not cause the air to smell bad. There are air diffusers to add to the HVAC that disperse pleasant aromas throughout rooms and get rid of bad smells.

The Many Benefits of New HVAC Equipment

Old furnaces and air conditioning equipment can be noisy, inefficient, and actually spread dirty air throughout the home. It can stop working without warning at the worst times. If a home does not have central air and relies on portable AC units during the hot months, the air cooling will be uneven and anything but cost-effective. The units take up floor or window space and cover limited areas, making it necessary to have multiple units in the most used rooms. And, portable air conditioning units have a short lifespan and use more energy.

The new HVAC systems allow the homeowner to add an air diffuser to the system that makes the home’s air smell better. They also have filter systems to clean contaminants out of the air going into the home. People who need an HVAC upgrade can choose better units than were available in the past. An Air Stream Single cold air, residential or commercial fragrance diffuser ads a new level to the HVAC system and the home’s air quality.

The new HVAC units can both heat and cool a home with one set of equipment and there are ductless units for homes without ductwork or room for it. One good option of a ductless AC unit for your home is the Packaged Terminal Air Conditioner (PTAC). You can add a refurbished PTAC unit from PTAC4Less to make your home office more comfortable. The cold-air diffusion and quality oils unit addons have the advantage of producing nano-particles that are suspended in the air and help to reduce allergens, pet dander, dust, and other air pollutants. This makes the home’s air healthier to breathe.

New HVAC systems have newer options such as variable fan speeds, multiple heating and cooling zones, and multiple stages of cooling and heating. They can also be part of a “smart home” where they can be controlled by an electronic device such as a smartphone.

The new equipment saves energy and homeowner costs because they are more efficient. They are also quieter. The equipment is more compact.

Heating and Cooling System Choices

There are more choices in HVAC systems than in the past. Some of them include:

1. Geothermal heat pumps get heat from the earth beneath a home. They use a series of looped pipes that are drilled deep into the earth. Air source heat pumps
2. A combination system that uses gas for heating and electricity for cooling
3. Single or multi-stage heating and cooling systems
4. HVAC offering zoned systems
5. HVAC systems with added humidifiers or dehumidifiers to keep a home’s humidity level as around 50% year-round
6. Heating units such as furnaces using a ductwork system including boilers and forced air systems using radiators, electric heat, or heat pumps.
7. All electric heating systems
8. Radiant floor or hydronic heating systems that use piping under the home’s floors filled with water or a glycol solution. They need either a boiler or a heat pump.
9. Ductless mini-split systems including both interior and exterior units
10. Additional heating and cooling options

When is it Time for New Equipment?

There are indicators to look for in existing equipment that point to replacement rather than repair when something goes wrong.

1. The heating and cooling equipment is older than 10 years and does not have an ENERGY STAR rating. Heat pumps or boilers can be 15 years old.
2. The HVAC equipment needs several repairs per year. Energy bills are going up faster than they should.
3. Some rooms are better heated or cooled than others.
4. Your home has recent problems with humidity and dust levels.
5. The heating and cooling systems have become overly noisy and may have funny noises such as grinding or clanking. The equipment is constantly running and seems to be working too hard for too little temperature change.
6. A home energy yardstick test has a score below 5.
7. One or more parts of the HVAC system break down or stop working or the home temperature does not meet what you set on the thermostat.

When Purchasing a New HVAC Systems Avoid These Pitfalls

Even though the decision about a new HVAC system might need to be made quickly, avoid these mistakes.

1. Don’t ignore the SEER or seasonal energy efficiency ratio rating. More efficient units save energy costs over time.
2. Going with the first estimate instead of shopping around. Get three estimates.
3. Not checking into government rebate programs which can give you as much as $1,500.00 in rebates on energy-efficient units.
4. Going with the lowest price unit and not considering fuel efficiency. Paying a little more for a more efficient unit can save you hundreds every year.
5. Don’t forget to ask about maintenance contracts for the new system.

The furnace and AC unit is not the only part of a heating and cooling system. The other parts of the system that must be in good order and properly installed include the properly programmed thermostat, adequate insulation, and well-sealed ductwork if used, a proper installation by a professional, and proper location with plenty of space around the units. If any of these things are missing, the HVAC system cannot operate at full, energy-efficient capacity and will wear out faster.

When it is time to replace your HVAC unit, take the time to pick the best system for your house and the best company to install it. After it is installed make sure that the normal maintenance gets done at least once if not twice a year. A well-maintained system works more efficiently and lasts years longer. If money is in short supply, look into government programs to help with updating heating and cooling systems to be more energy-efficient.