3 Types of HVAC Systems Explained: Split, Hybrid Heat-Splitting, and Ductless Mini-Split

Learn about 3 types of HVAC Systems: Split Systems, Hybrid Heat-Splitting Systems & Ductless Mini-Split Systems & how they work.

3 Types of HVAC Systems Explained: Split, Hybrid Heat-Splitting, and Ductless Mini-Split

When it comes to heating and cooling your Homewood, Alabama home, there are three main types of HVAC systems to choose from: split, hybrid heat-splitting, and ductless mini-split. Air source heat pumps are the fastest-growing segment of the residential HVAC market in the country. An electric heat pump is a more efficient option than an electric furnace if electricity is the only energy source available. This is because a heat pump moves heat instead of generating energy from a fuel source, allowing for more efficient performance, especially at moderate temperatures.

Heat pumps also work in reverse, providing central air conditioning during the hottest months of the year. A combination of furnace and heat pump is a dual-fuel hybrid heating system. When the weather is nice, the heat pump keeps your home comfortable and generates low heating bills. As the temperature approaches freezing, the gas oven provides additional heat, which avoids resorting to the less efficient electrical resistance heater that normally serves as a backup heating source. Ductless minisplits have become increasingly popular over the years.

This system is a type of heat pump that can provide heating and cooling all year round. Units that are wall-mounted inside your home have a built-in air controller. Because of its effectiveness and composition, this eliminates the need for any duct network. The coolest possible HVAC system is geothermic, which takes heat from one's own land. These heat pumps are the most energy efficient and environmentally friendly air conditioning system available.

Like air-source heat pumps, the system is designed to move heat instead of generating it from an energy source. Morelli Air's heating and air services include air conditioners, heat pumps, furnaces, packaging units, split systems, geothermal and ductless systems, boilers, coolers, thermostats and indoor air quality products. Air conditioning systems are milestones in the construction of mechanical systems that provide thermal comfort to occupants along with indoor air quality. HVAC systems can be classified into central and local systems according to multiple zones, location and distribution. Main HVAC equipment includes heating equipment, ventilation equipment, and refrigeration or air conditioning equipment. Central air conditioning systems are located far from buildings in a central equipment room and supply air conditioning through a supply duct system. Central HVAC systems contain all-air, air-water, and water systems.

Two systems must be considered central such as heating and cooling panels and heat pumps with a water source. Local HVAC systems can be located within or adjacent to a conditioned area and do not require ducting. Local systems include local heating, local air conditioning, local ventilation, and split systems. If you've done an evaluation of your home's energy efficiency - maybe you've installed some additional insulation - and you're hiring a heating or cooling system professional now's the time to decide on the right HVAC system for your home. Single-stage heating and cooling are popular in colder winter climates and in warm and humid areas respectively because these systems are configured to provide comfort during the coldest or hottest days of the year. But that also means that most of the time these heating or air conditioning systems are operating at full capacity when they don't need to. That's where a multi-stage system comes in handy and can save you energy and money.

Zoned HVAC systems can heat or cool individual areas of your home by controlling zone valves or zone dampers within vents or ducts which selectively block airflow. Zoned systems can save you energy and money by heating or cooling only certain areas when you need to. Humidifiers and dehumidifiers can be added as options to heating and cooling systems - if you live in a very dry or humid climate these improvements should definitely be on your list (around 50 percent relative humidity is considered optimal for humans). In the U. S., modern conventional heating systems can achieve efficiencies of up to 97 percent converting nearly all fuel into useful heat for your home. Radiant floors or hydronic heating systems often use pipes under the floor - flexible tubes are filled with water or a glycol solution to heat a concrete or other floor - these can be quite efficient and require a boiler or heat pump - they can also be re-equipped if they are carefully installed under a wooden floor covering - however radiant systems are much more effective if they are built on a concrete floor which will retain heat and release it slowly. Excess radiators can also be removed - modulating aquastats for hot water boilers adjust the temperature of the hot water to outdoor temperatures and can save 10 percent in fuel costs - while a delay relay for hot water boilers causes hot water to circulate through the system without turning on the boiler - an oil-fueled system can also benefit from a barometric damper that prevents too much heat from rising through the chimney. The Department of Energy provides more details on gas and oil system modernization options.

If you or your company are considering installing an HVAC unit in your building it's worth taking a second look at all types of HVAC units available - consulting an HVAC expert from General Air of Greenville South Carolina may help you better manage them.