Homeowners in Florida need reliable and efficient heating and cooling systems. If you’re shopping for new equipment, you may notice a wide array of options. The sheer amount of choices available can be downright daunting. A professional installation is the key to navigating these choices and maximizing your investment. In the meantime, let’s explore the different systems available in order to understand them better.
Meeting Your Cooling and Heating Needs
There are two core approaches to heating and cooling a home in Florida. Many households now have a heat pump that can meet their year-round heating and cooling needs. The traditional approach is a central air conditioner paired with a forced-air furnace.
Heat pumps now outsell furnaces in Florida and throughout the U.S. The industry expects that trend to continue, and most Floridians will want to upgrade. That said, if you already have natural gas hookups for heating, you still have the option.
Ducted or Ductless
You have the choice of either a ducted or ductless HVAC system. There are both mini-split ACs and heat pumps available. Mini-split systems are an ideal option for older homes without ducts and home additions. Central AC is more prevalent among homes built with ducts. Still, mini-split systems provide some advantages, including higher efficiency through inherent zone control.
Power and Fuel Options
Recent updates to HVAC regulations in Florida no longer allow electric resistance for primary heating. That includes electric furnaces. Air conditioners and heat pumps run on electricity. Fuel-fired furnaces use either natural gas or liquid propane. Natural gas is still a cost-effective option, but homeowners with propane furnaces should strongly consider switching to a heat pump.
Balancing Energy-Efficiency Ratings
Energy-efficiency ratings indicate how much an HVAC system will cost to run. High-efficiency systems cost more initially but can save you money in the long term. To strike the right balance, compare the initial costs against the potential long-term savings.
Evaluate the cooling efficiency of ACs and heat pumps using the SEER2 rating. The higher the rating, the cheaper the AC is to run over an entire summer. Likewise, use the HSPF2 rating to compare the heating performance of a heat pump over an entire winter. AFUE indicates the efficiency of furnaces. An AFUE 80 furnace loses 20% of the fuel it burns through inefficiencies. High-efficiency furnaces range from AFUE 90 to nearly 100% efficiency.
Energy Incentives
The Department of Energy establishes minimums for HVAC energy efficiency. The State of Florida adheres to those requirements and is even more strict in some cases. The Environmental Protection Agency sets loftier standards for high energy efficiency. HVAC systems that achieve those standards earn the ENERGY STAR label. That certification provides consumers with confidence. It may also make you eligible for rebates, tax credits, and other incentives.
Sizing Your HVAC System
The general guideline in Florida is that you need 20 to 30 BTUs per hour of cooling per square foot. In Southwest Florida, you need 15 to 20 BTUs of heating per square foot. For a more precise estimate, you should hire an HVAC installer to perform a manual load calculation. Precise sizing is the best way to minimize your month-to-month and long-term costs. In addition to square footage, installers will factor in ceiling heights and floor plans. They can also account for building envelope, location, window orientation, and so on.
Accounting for Humidity Control
The optimal indoor relative humidity (RH) is somewhere between 40% and 50%. You never want to let RH get above 60% due to mildew, mold, and dust mites. Even 60% can be difficult to achieve through air conditioning alone. Many experts recommend a high-efficiency AC with a variable-speed compressor for better humidity control. You should also consider investing in a whole-house dehumidification system. A dehumidifier can improve comfort and health. It can also significantly lower your AC costs month to month and over the life of the equipment.
Upgrading With Energy-Saving Add-Ons
A programmable or smart thermostat is often the least expensive way to improve HVAC efficiency. Automatic temperature scheduling can reduce annual cooling and heating costs by up to 10%. Smart thermostats often have additional energy-saving features, including energy insights, geofencing, rate awareness, and real-time weather monitoring. You can also upgrade your central system with zone control. That provides similar benefits to a mini-split system, including personalized comfort and energy savings up to 30%.
Trusted HVAC Installation Guidance for Southwest Florida
Arctic Air Home Services is an HVAC company located in Sarasota, FL. We have over 15 years of experience helping Sarasota County and Manatee County homeowners choose the ideal HVAC systems. Our company provides installation consultations and estimates at no charge and without obligation. You can schedule that appointment online or by phone. During your consultation, we can discuss energy incentives and financing, which we offer on approved credit.
