When you first get a house, it is arguably the most exciting time of your life. Yet, being a homeowner does have its fair share of responsibilities. Repairs are on you, and if anything malfunctions, it is you who has to figure it out. While you will face quite a few challenges around the place, from plumbing to electricity, the most complicated and serious have to do with your HVAC system. Different systems may need different electricians, and this is why you need to understand HVAC system types and their maintenance, in case you run into any issues which you wouldn’t be able to fix yourself.

1. Split Systems 

Heating and cooling split systems are some of the most popular types out there, and they are heavily used in residential and office spaces. As can be seen by the name, in this system, heating and cooling units are separate, each performing its tasks independently of the other. You can easily spot split system units because they often contain both an indoor and outdoor unit, and you can spot those around your street or anywhere really. For cooling, in HVAC split systems, the outside unit contains a cooling material, coils, and a compressor to heat the air, which is then pumped into the room. They also have a fan that blows the hot air out, keeping your room cool.

As for the heating system, there is a heater that is often placed in the basement, and this unit is responsible for heating your home on cold winter nights. It does so by using gas or other fuel types, but gas is the most popular because it’s the cheapest and least intrusive in terms of pollution. A thermostat then controls the temperature around your home, and there are even automated ones right now that you can program to change the settings depending on the time of day.

Maintenance 

This HVAC system also comes with air purifiers and humidifiers, which make sure the air you breathe around the house dust and pollutants-free. This is the first part you need to maintain over the years. Professional technicians on https://filterbuy.com/resources/the-furnace-filter-size-issue/ explain that this is because ducts collect dust and gunk, so they should be regularly cleaned. You might have to replace your furnace filter as time goes by, but the trick is in finding the right size that works with your HVAC system, or else it would be pointless. 

You will need to have your refrigerant regularly checked to avoid having any unexpected leaks, which could affect the unit’s performance quite negatively, not to mention increase your energy bills. You should also clean your air conditioning and heating systems to ensure that they will survive the change of seasons and remain in good condition. 

2. Mini-Split (Duct-Free)

At first glance, this might seem quite similar to the previous type. It also comes with an outside unit compressor and an indoor unit, but there are quite a few major differences between both. With regular split systems, you have the indoor unit usually in the attic or a higher floor. You then get your cooled air through ducts that run through the property’s ceilings. On the other hand, mini-split HVAC systems don’t work like that. In this type, the cooling indoor unit is in the room you want to cool. So, you basically have individual units for every room you need to be cooled. This has quite a few pros and cons. 

For starters, this gives much more independence to homeowners to control the temperature in rooms independently from one another. This is why some hotels also use this system as a lot of guests prefer this level of control over the room’s heating. This system, in turn, is definitely better for energy conservation and it can help you save money on your energy bill since you won’t be cooling/heating any unused rooms. On the other hand, installing mini-split units can be pricey, and the units are pretty noticeable in the rooms.

Maintenance 

Maintenance of the mini-split –– or ductless –– HVAC systems aren’t very challenging, but you have to do it regularly if you want your system to survive for quite a while. This starts by making sure the outside unit is regularly cleaned and debris-free because those can really cause damage to your HVAC system. You should also regularly clean the filters and replace them if they got too old to properly function. Don’t forget to clean the coil and condenser, too, because those control the efficiency of your unit. 

3. Hybrid Split Systems 

The last type of HVAC system, we’re going to discuss is the hybrid. This type can be extremely energy-efficient, which is why hybrid split systems have been steadily rising in popularity. So, how does this system exactly work? Well, it alternates between gas and electrical power, which has a ton of benefits. Each energy source has different uses, and you can alternate between them depending on your needs. While electrical power is quieter and very efficient, gas power is faster and comprehensive. You can use either to heat your home, and this flexibility definitely comes in handy because you can use electricity or fuel depending on the weather and how severe it is. 

Maintenance 

Maintenance of those systems can be a bit tricky. You will need to do the regular checks and cleaning you did with the previous types. But more importantly, you have to check the fuel here and change it regularly because it can go bad and damage your unit. Also, it is crucial that you remember to store your fuel safely and in a separate location for safety reasons. 

Understanding how your HVAC system works is more important than you would think. It will help you lower your utility bills and control your consumption. It will also guide you to what you need to do to ensure that your system has a long lifespan, because changing your HVAC units can be quite pricey, and you can avoid it through proper maintenance.