Best HVAC Systems of 2022 for Louisville Homeowners

A lighted sign of 2022 on a brick wall

The installation of new heating and cooling systems can be among the most effective investments for your home. There are many kinds of HVAC systems which HVAC companies install, as well as many HVAC brands which manufacture heating and cooling products. Gas and oil furnaces, dual fuel system units, packaged heating and cooling systems, central air conditioning units, standard heat pumps, and geothermal heat pumps are some of the top options in the residential HVAC market.

With the many different options for your new system, finding the right HVAC system for 2022 may seem like a challenge. Jarboe’s Plumbing, Heating & Cooling is Louisville’s top HVAC company providing the professional guidance you need to evaluate the best HVAC systems of the year.

Keep reading to find out how different HVAC system choices compare to one another in terms of energy efficiency, heating and cooling capacity, installation costs, lifespan, and more. You’ll find the information you need to pinpoint the best HVAC system that fits all your specifications.

Different Types of HVAC Systems

Many kinds of HVAC equipment are readily accessible to help you with your home heating and cooling demands. In order to select the most efficient HVAC system that provides the highest level of temperature control as well as the other essential elements your family will require, a basic understanding of the different HVAC system options is necessary.

First, understand how HVAC systems work when heating and cooling to the home.

  • Forced air systems move air from the indoor unit to rooms using ductwork systems, or indoor units are located in rooms making use of mini-split systems.

  • The radiant heating system works by dispersing heat using infrared radiation. Heat is dispersed through pipes, which are usually located within the floor, electrical heating strips installed in the floor or walls, or a system of radiators and pipes throughout the house.

HVAC system classifications are based on the amount of space they cover.

  • HVAC systems that heat and cool the entire house are typically known as central systems. They include split systems as well as packaged HVAC systems. Split systems consist of an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, both of which are linked by refrigerant lines. Packaged systems are designed to store all HVAC parts inside one HVAC unit.

  • There are HVAC units that are specially designed for temperature control in smaller spaces, such as one room.

After you’ve gained a better understanding of the various HVAC systems, let us describe the various types of heating and cooling products that HVAC companies install in homes across Louisville.

Products for heating and cooling your entire home:

  • Furnaces are a good illustration of a forced air system. Furnaces use gas or oil fuel to create heat which is then transferred to air through heat exchangers. The options include natural gas furnaces, propane furnaces, oil furnaces, and electric furnaces. Electric furnaces don’t burn fuel – instead, they employ electrical heating elements to generate heat.

  • Boilers deliver radiant heating. An oil, gas, or electrical boiler can warm water, creating hot water or steam. Hot water or steam is circulated through a network of pipes and radiators in the house to enhance the temperature of living spaces.

  • Central AC units are referred to as split systems that use forced air distribution for cooling. They incorporate an indoor and outdoor unit. Cooling is achieved by refrigerant drawing heat from the indoor air. The outdoor HVAC unit is known as the condenser unit. An air handler split system or effecient furnaces could be used as the indoor split system component.

  • A standard heat pump is a forced air split system, which can provide both cooling and heating. The outdoor heat pump links to an indoor air handler. The system is able to transfer heat from indoor air to the outside air using refrigerant.

  • Geothermal systems, also known as geothermal heat pumps, cool and heat the home by transferring heat between the house and the ground. They can be installed as forced air HVAC systems or radiant HVAC systems. They depend on a buried ground loop as well as an geothermal heat pump that is typically installed inside the home. These HVAC systems gather heat underground with the help of the ground loop and then send the warmth through to the heat pump to augment the temperature of air inside the house. Geothermal heat pumps are also able to draw heat from the air inside the home and then transfer it to the ground loop. Heat is then released underground to achieve cooling.

  • Ductless systems or mini split systems are another split system option. A mini split heat pump or air conditioner is located outside and is connected to air handlers installed in the indoor area. The air handler split system delivers chilled air directly to the room, creating multi-zone systems. There may be just one air handler that sends cooling and heating into its room or several air handlers to create a number of zones so every room of the house is always perfectly comfortable.

  • Packaged HVAC systems incorporate multiple types of heating and cooling system equipment. They are sometimes called a hybrid or dual fuel system. They combine heat pumps and gas furnaces or gas furnaces outfitted with AC units. These packaged HVAC units are also available in a variety of options, including an air handler with a heat pump, or air conditioner and air handler all in one.

  • A swamp cooler, also known as an evaporative cooler is one type of cooling device. This HVAC system treats air through evaporation in order to cool it. Air that is treated travels along ducts that lead to living spaces.

Equipment for cooling and heating rooms:

  • Window air conditioners provide air conditioning to the exact area where they are installed. They’re usually placed in windows.

  • Portable air conditioners are freestanding units that provide cooling for specific areas.

  • Electric baseboards are distinct heating units installed in a single area or across the entire house, using electrical resistance heating for warmth in living areas.

  • Space heating units generate heating for a single space or room. They operate using fuel like gas or electricity. Space heating systems powered by gas need to be vented out of the home to protect the inhabitants.

  • Stoves are used to burn fuel pellets, wood, or other types of fuels to provide warm air for the area of the house where they are located. Exhaust is vented out of the home for safe operation.

  • Fireplaces are often used to warm rooms. A fireplace may burn wood or gas, or electric inserts are also available.

To learn more about the heating and cooling products from top HVAC brands and central air conditioning brands in the HVAC industry, take a look at our previous blog posts: Links

Best HVAC System for Heating and Cooling Capacity

Maybe you’ve got big plans for your new home, or you’ve noticed that the HVAC system in your current home doesn’t quite seem to cut it anymore. If you are in need of a new system, here’s everything you need to know about how capacity is measured for heat pumps, AC units. and furnaces.

Every heating system, heat pump, and air conditioning unit has a capacity, expressed in BTUs, that determines the amount of heating it can produce or move out. The larger the number of BTUs the system can handle, the higher its capacity for heating or cooling. Home heating and cooling systems come in a variety of sizes, each with a different capacity so your selection can be tailored to meet your specific needs.

For cooling or heating the entire home, central air conditioning systems and heating systems are the best choice in terms of capacity. These powerful HVAC systems are perfect for temperature management in houses, providing heating and cooling across all the living areas Centralized HVAC systems will not only control temperature for an entire floor or area but also circulate air throughout your entire home at the same time.

  • In Louisville, residents rely on their HVAC systems year-round. Most homeowners opt for full home heating and cooling solutions to heat or cool every room in their house. Common HVAC and air conditioning system pairings include gas furnaces matched with air conditioners, standard heat pump systems, and geothermal heat pumps.

  • Older homes that have boiler systems installed can have central air units or mini split heat pumps added as cooling systems.

  • Ductless systems can also be configured to treat just one area of the home while providing outstanding heating and cooling capacity.

  • There are many ways to heat your room, and the best HVAC system selection depends on your personal preference. Some people prefer the warmth of a fireplace or stove, while others prefer space heaters of various types or electric baseboard heaters. Choose the system that works best for you and your home.

Most Efficient HVAC System Choices

As energy costs continue to rise, many homeowners are looking for ways to cut down on their energy bills. One of the best ways to do this is to invest in a high-efficiency HVAC system. With a high-efficiency furnace, AC unit, or heat pump, you can save money on your energy bills in the long run.

When shopping for a new HVAC system, it is important to understand how energy efficiency of a furnace, air conditioner, or heat pump is measured. With this information, you can select an HVAC system that will help you cut your energy bills month after month.

  • The first thing that you want to look for in a furnace or boiler is its energy efficiency — specifically, the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE). What does this mean? AFUE measures how effectively a furnace or boiler uses fuel to heat your home. The higher an appliance’s AFUE, the more efficient it is.

  • A heat pump’s HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor), on the other hand, describes how efficiently it runs over the course of heating season.

  • The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, SEER, describes cooling output for an air conditioner or heat pump in relation to the amount of consumed energy, making it easier for consumers to decide which unit will best suit their needs.

Energy-efficient heating options include:

  • The efficiency of geothermal heat pump installation is unmatched. It can transfer up to four units of heat per one unit of electricity it uses, which makes it a great way to cool and heat your home. By ‘harvesting’ the earth’s natural temperature via underground piping, these systems draw in the earth’s temperature to provide comfortable, energy-efficient temperatures indoors.

  • Air source heat pumps are one of the best choices when it comes to heating systems in Louisville. They will work well even during cold weather, above 40 degree Fahrenheit. However, for heating comfort during the winter months – it isn’t just a question of running your heat pump straight up. Some homeowners prefer to hook up their heat pump in conjunction with a second form of warmth. Efficient furnaces are often installed to take over for heat pumps when outdoor temperatures drop too low for efficient heating.

Both central air conditioning and a traditional heat pump work similarly in that they use the same process – removing hot, uncomfortable heat from inside the home and transferring it outside, When calculating efficiency rates for which one is more efficient, there’s an important figure you need to look at before making a decision – the SEER rating. In order for a central air conditioner or heat pump system to be considered high efficiency, it must have a SEER rating of no less than 16.

Best HVAC Systems for Indoor Air Quality Improvement

One of the most common points people care about when buying an HVAC system is how it affects our quality of life. At what point do we feel comfortable and healthy? There are a lot of HVAC systems out there on the market right now that all offer different ways to improve the air indoors. Which ones provide us with maximum value for money spent?

Ductless systems are a great investment for homeowners who are concerned about indoor air quality. Choosing a ductless system allows you to do away with all vents, intakes, and returns that contain mold, mildew, and other particles. It also helps to keep in your home’s internal humidity levels — which is good news for the health of the people living in your home. Each indoor unit has a dedicated filter to clean air before it travels into the space.

Top Cooling Speed from HVAC Systems

If you want to cool your home in the quickest time possible, air conditioners and heat pumps need to be the correct size for the cooling load of the home. No matter what air conditioner or heat pump you decide to install in your home, have your HVAC contractor complete cooling load calculations to determine the best size cooling system for your living space. You also need to think about how much space you want to cool, whether it’s the entire house or just a single room.

  • To cool the entire house, central air conditioner units, and heat pumps, in addition to ductless systems, are typically the winners.

  • If you’re seeking to cool down a small area, or even several rooms in your home, ductless systems can lower the temperature quickly.

  • Window air conditioner units as well as portable air conditioning choices may be the best HVAC system for rapid cooling for smaller spaces and single rooms. Check the specifications of the equipment and determine the area of your space before purchasing this cooling equipment.

System Cost of HVAC Options

System costs are one of the most important factors homeowners take into consideration when purchasing HVAC unit equipment. There is more to consider regarding your budget, though, such as the labor costs for installations.

The best HVAC system for the price will depend on how much you want to spend. HVAC systems can be found in a broad spectrum of prices. When you’re searching for cooling and heating products we recommend choosing those with top specs in each category keeping within your budget. Find the most efficient HVAC system that fits your budget will to lower the cost of your utility bills each month since they use less energy than low energy efficiency systems.

The system cost of a specific furnace, heat pump, or air conditioning unit isn’t the total cost for the entire installation. Costs for labor and other needs are also a part of the equation. A central air conditioner, heat pump, or furnace is more costly in terms of the installation cost than a small space heater or window AC unit. This is because they require the use of ductwork which is costly to install when your house does not already have ductwork or if the ducts must be replaced. A professional is required for installation of these units, requiring labor costs, too. In the event of ductwork challenges, many homeowners opt for ductless systems. While these systems can be costly, installing ductless systems could save you money because of the lack of ductwork.

Installing geothermal HVAC leaves you with the highest bill for installation costs of any other heating or cooling system. This is because of the ground loop which has to be put in below the ground by digging. Geothermal heat pumps are fantastic investments due to their long service life. Ground loops are situated beneath the surface of the yard, which protects them from weather and damage for fewer repair calls.

Lifespan of HVAC Systems

When it comes to the lifespan of HVAC systems, there are a number of factors that come into play. Maintenance and frequency of use are two of the most important, but there are also some averages that can give homeowners an idea of how long their system should last.

  • Gas and Furnaces: Between 15 to 20 Years
  • Electric Furnaces: 20 to 30 Years
  • Electric Boilers: 15 Years
  • Boilers Using Oil or Gas: Between 15 and 25 Years
  • Electric Baseboard Heaters: 10 Years
  • Steam or Radiant Hot Water Heating Systems: 25 Years.
  • Central Air Conditioners: 10 to 15 Years
  • Air Conditioners for Windows As Well as Portable AC Units: 10 Years
  • Standard Heat Pumps: 10 to 15 Years
  • Geothermal Heat Pumps: 20 to 25 Years
  • Ductless Systems: 10 to 30 Years

Generally speaking, geothermal HVAC systems have the longest lifespan of all heating and cooling options. Geothermal heat pumps typically last between 20 and 25 years, while the ground loop itself can remain functional for 50 years or more. If components of the ground loop are still in good working order, a brand new heat pump can be installed and will work with the existing system.

For central air conditioners, heat pumps, and furnaces, variable-speed equipment is one of the best investments you can make. The most efficient furnaces, air conditioners, and heat pumps are variable speed. It costs less to run and lasts longer than other systems. Variable speed blowers adjust their operation speeds to meet the demands of your home. In fact, variable speed units are able to control their speeds so finely that they can run for less than half the time of other systems.

Advice for Your New System

Need more help finding the right HVAC system for your Louisville home? Whether you’re shopping for air conditioners or heaters, Jarboe’s Plumbing, Heating & Cooling can help! Contact us today to get started.

Related Reading