Choosing the right HVAC equipment is crucial for your comfort and for keeping your energy bills in check. Not all HVAC systems are created equal, and it's important to get the right one for the climate you live in, for both comfort and efficiency. Let's have a look at the climate's impact on your HVAC system.
Climate and HVAC
The average summer or winter temperature of a region should always be considered when choosing an air conditioner or a furnace. For instance, if you live in Miami or along the Gulf Coast, you will not need the most efficient furnace. Likewise, those in the northern climes, where summers are not as long or as hot as in the South, won't need an air conditioner with top efficiency. In fact, today's extremely efficient HVAC systems feature a number of bells and whistles that may be superfluous for your climate.
Talk about climate impact with your HVAC consultant. Our Broken Arrow climate isn't the coldest or the warmest, although temperatures can occasionally plunge or peak. Your consultant can advise you about the level of efficiency that's best for your home. When shopping, look at the AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency ratings) for furnaces, and the SEER, or seasonal energy efficiency ratio for air conditioners. The higher the SEER, the more efficient the AC. Because our summers are generally not that long or that hot, you may not need a top SEER. Likewise with furnaces. AFUEs of 80% to 85% are mid-efficiency ratings, while high-efficiency units rate between 90% and 97% AFUE. Obviously, the more efficient the unit, the more you will pay when you buy it.
Humidity
High humidity also affects comfort and efficiency, and Oklahoma can be very humid during the summer, when the south wind brings moisture in from Texas. Remember that high humidity is a factor in climate impact in that it makes your AC work harder to cool your home. When discussing climate impact during your next HVAC installation, ask about how to compensate for excessive moisture.
To learn more about climate's impact on HVAC equipment, contact Air Assurance.