Maybe you’ve hired a technician to inspect your furnace or air conditioner, and after taking a look, they say, “You need a new HVAC system.” But what does that mean? Does HVAC include heating, cooling, or both?
Below, learn about the most important HVAC system components, then call us for HVAC services in Sherborn, MA.
Does HVAC Include Heating? What’s Included in an HVAC System in Sherborn, MA?
HVAC is short for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. Your HVAC system contains everything you’ll need to keep your home toasty when winter arrives and comfortably cool during the summer. Here’s what’s included in the typical HVAC system.
Heating To Keep Your Home Cozy in the Winter
Winters in Sherborn can get downright frigid, with below-zero weather in December and January and temperatures that linger in the 30s well through April. A heating source isn’t just a luxury but an absolute necessity.
Most HVAC systems include a furnace. Some furnaces run on natural gas, while others use electricity to heat your home. Furnaces are relatively inexpensive and can last for 15-20 years.
An HVAC system might include a boiler instead of a furnace, but boilers are relatively rare. If your system has a boiler, you’ll also have radiators in each room to distribute heat throughout your home.
Air Conditioning To Beat the Heat During Summer
Summer provides a welcome relief from the bitter cold of Sherborn winters. Temperatures are usually quite mild, but they can jump to 80 degrees and above. If you want to stay comfy, you’ll need an air conditioner.
Air conditioners work by removing warmth from your home and replacing it with cool air. They use components such as fans, compressors, coils, and blower motors to do their job. As with furnaces, air conditioners can run on electricity or gas, but the electric variety is the most common.
Heat Pumps Offer the Best of Both Worlds
Does HVAC include heating? Yes, and you’re not limited to a furnace. If you care about energy efficiency, you may want to invest in a modern heat pump.
Heat pumps provide both heating and cooling, which means your home doesn’t need a separate furnace and an air conditioner. In the winter, the heat pump will draw warmth from the outside air or ground to heat your Sherborn home; in summer, the unit will pull heat from your indoor air and replace it with cooled air.
Furnace or heat pump: Which should you choose? Call our HVAC pros, and we’ll help you decide.
A Thermostat for Controlling Your Indoor Climate
No matter which type of system you choose, you’ll need a thermostat to control the temperature. Think of the thermostat as the brain of your HVAC system—it’s what tells your system to turn on and off.
If it’s been a long time since you upgraded your HVAC system, you might still have an old manual thermostat. Modern thermostats are digital, and you can program them to turn your HVAC system on or off at specific times. There are also smart thermostats that you can control from your phone.
Vents and Ducts for Airflow
Your HVAC system isn’t complete without a network of ducts and vents. The ducts are what carry warmed and cooled air throughout your home. Vents are responsible for controlling air pressure, ensuring that your HVAC system heats and cools your house evenly.
Some homes also feature zoning systems that allow homeowners to only cool or heat certain areas. With these systems, you can heat or cool only the rooms you use most, allowing you to save money on your energy bills.
Air Filters Trap Dust and Debris
Furnaces, air conditioners, and heat pumps all require an air filter to do their job properly. Air filters capture dust and other debris such as pet dander and pollen. They prevent this debris from clogging up the unit, in turn improving your indoor air quality.
Some filters are washable, but most need to be replaced regularly. You can buy filters that last anywhere from 30 days to one year.
Does HVAC Include Heating? Call Our Pros in Sherborn, MA, for More Answers About HVAC Systems
Does HVAC include heating as well as cooling? Yes, and your choice of furnace and air conditioner makes a big impact on how well your system runs. If you need a new HVAC system, you can count on the experts at Pro Comfort Control. Call us for HVAC services in Sherborn, MA, or read our guide to replacing an AC.