Go Heating and Air Conditioning

The main purposes of a Heating and Air Conditioning or HVAC system are to control the temperature and humidity as well as help maintain good indoor air quality through adequate ventilation with filtration. In most parts of the country, climatic conditions require that outdoor air must be heated and cooled to provide optimal thermal comfort for occupants, requiring the addition of HVAC systems. The selection of equipment for heating, cooling and ventilating your home is a complex design decision that must balance a great many factors, including heating and cooling needs, humidity, energy efficiency, potential for natural ventilation, adherence to codes and standards, outdoor air quantity and quality, indoor air quality, and cost.

Heating and cooling account for about 56% of the energy use in a typical home, making it the largest energy expense for most homes. A wide variety of technologies are available for heating and cooling your home, and they achieve a wide range of efficiencies in converting their energy sources into useful heat or cool air for your home. In addition, many heating and cooling systems have certain supporting equipment in common, such as thermostats and ducts, which provide opportunities for saving energy.

When replacing or upgrading an existing heating and cooling system, it's important to first consider the limitations imposed by your current system and available energy sources. When selecting a heating and cooling system for a new house, your options are generally much wider, although your builder or developer may place limitations on your choices.

For climates with moderate heating and cooling needs, heat pumps offer an energy-efficient alternative to furnaces and air conditioners. During the heating season, heat pumps move heat from the cool outdoors into your warm house; during the cooling season, heat pumps move heat from your cool house into the warm outdoors. Because they move heat rather than generate heat, heat pumps can provide up to 4 times the amount of energy they consume.