There’s no doubt that the Pacific Northwest can deal with some nasty temperature extremes. Having a reliable heating and cooling system is an absolute necessity to stay comfortable and safe throughout the worst temperature extremes of the year. We’re going to share with you some of the most popular heating and cooling systems available so you can choose the ideal one for your home.
Furnaces
Furnace installation is one of the most popular heating options on the market. This system can run on electricity, natural gas, propane, or heating oil. Electric furnaces use internal heating elements to warm up the air as it passes over the elements. Other types of furnaces burn fuel to create heat that works to warm the air.
Furnaces that burn fuel do require adequate ventilation for exhaust fumes so they don’t build up inside your home, as that could be extremely dangerous. Electric furnaces have an operating efficiency of 100%. Standard efficiency furnaces that burn fuel will have an efficiency rating of between 80 and 84%. High-efficiency furnace models operate at 90% efficiency and above.
Central Air Conditioning Systems
One popular match for the furnace is a central air conditioning system. This home cooling system can integrate with the blower components of your ducting to function optimally. A central air conditioning system relies on a substance known as a refrigerant to absorb heat from inside your home and disperse it to the outdoors. These units are powered by electricity and controlled by your household thermostat.
Heat Pumps
Another option that’s becoming more popular is to install a heat pump. This type of system is powered by electricity and can operate at very high-efficiency levels, especially during the winter months. Heat pumps can work with traditional ducting and can both heat and cool your home.
There are two different styles of heat pumps that you can purchase for your home—air-source and ground-source, also known as geothermal. Air-source heat pumps are the most popular due to their vast affordability and ease of installation. These systems rely on refrigerant to transport heat from one location to another.
During the summer months, a heat pump will remove heat from inside your home and redistribute it to the outdoors. During the winter months, a heat pump will absorb heat from the outdoor air and pump it inside your home. Traditional heat pumps struggle to adequately heat homes at temperatures below freezing. However, newer cold-climate heat pumps can work efficiently to heat your home as long as the temperature outside is higher than -20 degrees Fahrenheit.
Ductless Mini-Split Systems
Ductless mini-split systems are heat pumps that employ mounted indoor air handlers rather than ductwork to deliver conditioned air. Each air handler has its own built-in thermostat and works by pulling in air from your rooms, treating it, and blowing it back into the same room. This type of system is great for individually controlling the temperature in various rooms of your home, which allows for easier energy-efficient operation.
Dual-Fuel Heating Systems
A dual-fuel heating system works well to integrate the best part of multiple heating systems. Homeowners can use the efficiency of a heat pump during the summer and mild winter seasons. However, when temperatures dip below freezing, where traditional heat pumps can’t function optimally, this type of heating system can easily switch over to a furnace. This allows for adequate home heating when temperatures are very low.
A Note About Tax Incentives
When purchasing any new heating or cooling system for your home, there are multiple factors that you’ll want to take into consideration. For instance, will the new HVAC system make you eligible for a tax incentive? Purchasers of high-efficiency furnaces, central air conditioning systems, heat pumps, and ductless mini-split systems can make you eligible to receive a tax incentive from the federal government.
Under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, all eligible systems can make you eligible to receive a tax incentive of up to 30% of the total cost of your new system. This total includes both the installation labor and system cost. Those eligible can claim up to a maximum of $3,200 in the form of a tax incentive for the system purchase year.
System Lifespans
Another key factor to consider is the overall lifespan of the new heating or cooling system. Furnaces that run on electricity have a lifespan of between 20 and 30 years. Furnaces that run on natural gas, propane, or heating oil can last for a total of 15 to 20 years. Central air conditioning systems can last for between 15 and 20 years. Heat pumps and ductless mini-split systems can last for 10 to 15 years. All of these lifespan estimates assume that the system receives regular maintenance and upkeep.
Maintenance Requirements
It goes without saying that every heating and cooling system needs to receive adequate maintenance to stay in good working condition and have a long operational lifespan. HVAC systems and heat pumps need to receive service at least once or twice a year before the summer and winter seasons begin.
Apart from professional maintenance service, all systems need to have their filters changed regularly. Furnaces, heat pumps, and central air conditioning systems can use reusable or disposal filters, depending on your individual preferences. You’ll need to check disposable filters every month and replace them when necessary. Ductless mini-split systems use only washable filters. These need to be cleaned, at the bare minimum, every month. Our Preventative Maintenance Agreement is a great way to stay on top of it, with automated reminders and discounts to save you money on making your system last.
Before you purchase a new HVAC system, check the reviews to see if your first choice is low maintenance. If not, you might consider extending your search.
A Note on Operating Efficiency
When selecting any new heating or cooling system, you want to look at its efficiency rating. In general, systems that have a high operating efficiency tend to cost more than units that don’t. However, they provide large energy savings due to their efficient system operation. It’s important to weigh the pros and cons of paying more upfront to save over the long term.
Getting Professional Assistance
Regardless of what type of HVAC system you decide to purchase for your home, it’s absolutely vital that you have one of our professional technicians assist you in the process. From choosing the right size unit for your home to physically removing your old unit and installing the new one, a professional should be doing all the work. This helps to ensure that the warranty coverage that comes with the system is properly activated, and you get access to the best-priced systems out there.
Helpful HVAC Installation Service
Climate Control offers helpful HVAC installation services to the Portland, OR community. We can also assist with all your air conditioning, heating, water heater, duct cleaning, indoor air quality, standby generators, and commercial HVAC needs. Call our office today to book your next service consultation with one of our helpful HVAC technicians.
