Everyone in Florida likes to come home to a refreshingly cool home in the summer months when the heat and humidity are at their all-time high. While not everyone is fortunate enough to have central air conditioning, many people utilize other AC systems, like window units. If you are looking for a few different ways to bring more cool air into your Sarasota Florida home, this list of different systems might be the answer for your temperature-regulating problems!
What does HVAC mean anyway?
HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning and is the equipment used to perform heating and/or cooling for residential, commercial or industrial buildings. A properly designed systems’ main purpose is to provide a comfortable indoor environment year-round when properly maintained by a professional like the ones at Wentzel’s Heating and Air Conditioning.
How does my Air Conditioner work?
Your air conditioner cools and dehumidifies your indoor air as it passes over a cold coils filled with cold gas. The same as your refrigerator works, instead of only cooling a small, insulated space, an air conditioner cools a room, home, or an entire commercial building. Air conditioners typically use chemicals that easily convert from a gas to a liquid and back again. Then, the air’s temperature is lowered and moisture in the air is removed, most of the time.
What types of AC systems are available?
Split-System or Mini-Split
A split system is a combination of an indoor air unit and an outdoor condensing unit. These systems have the highest energy efficiency rating (EER) of all the available AC systems on the market today. The outdoor unit is installed on or near the wall outside of the room or space you want to cool. They are not intended for whole houses but multiple units can be used for a whole house.Good news is, a split air conditioner does not require major insulation work because it does not require ductwork, making this a good fit for your wallet and the environment. Mini-splits can provide both heating and cooling in one unit.
Packaged Air Conditioner or Package Unit
A packaged system is a single unit combining all the components described in the split system in other words known as the all-in-one. Like a Heat Pump it can both heat and cool. Since the unit is a package, it must be placed outside the building and indoor air is sent through ductwork from the building to the packaged system and back through an air distribution system. These are often times used in small homes and trailers where there is limited space for a separate air handler. These systems are less common today but are still out there.
Heat Pump
Heat pumps are like cooling only systems with one exception. A special valve in the refrigeration piping allows the refrigeration cycle to be operated in reverse. A cooling only system cools the indoor air and rejects heat to the outdoors. A heat pump can cool the indoor air, but when the valve is reversed, the indoor air is then heated. For climates with moderate heating and cooling needs, heat pumps offer an energy-efficient alternative to furnaces and air conditioners.
There are three types of heat pumps: air-to-air, water source, and geothermal. All the heat pumps collect heat from the air, water, or ground outside your home and concentrate it for use inside. Cool huh?!
What About Gas Furnaces?
Because Florida has mild winters a Heat Pump is the most cost effective because it primarily functions for cooling and provides heating only when necessary.
Air Conditioning for your Specific Situation
Not all products are created equal — and that’s extremely important depending on your location. You can count on the Wentzel’s Heating and Air staff to recommend the best product for your specific situation.
For example, if you live on the Sarasota waterfront or on Siesta Key, the climate significantly impacts your unit. You need a heat pump that is designed to withstand salty air. For example a high quality heat pump from Bryant will last longer, giving you years of service without problems while some brands will “rust-out” prematurely. And, right-sized equipment is more efficient by design.
We promise to help you buy what you need: nothing more, nothing less. Visit our website for more information or to schedule a free estimate today.