Are you fed up trying to keep your multi-story home in Jacksonville, FL comfortable? Fortunately, the right HVAC system can improve your home’s comfort and reduce your energy expenses. When selecting an HVAC unit, you need to consider sizing and zoning needs, efficiency ratings, and installation requirements. With so many HVAC options, it’s understandable that the process can seem overwhelming. However, with a little knowledge and professional help from J&W Heating and Air + Plumbing, you can find a system that heats and cools your multi-story home efficiently.
Zoned Heating and Cooling
A common complaint among multi-story homeowners is inconsistent climate control. Main levels often feel cooler than second-story levels because heat rises. In the winter, the opposite happens. Upper levels feel warmer, but lower levels might leave you shivering. One way to address this issue is with zoned heating and cooling.
Zoning relies on dampers connected to the central HVAC system. The dampers allow for targeted air control by creating different zones in your home. You can have two zones, one upstairs and one downstairs, or you can have multiple zones. The choice is yours, and HVAC experts can help you incorporate zoning into your current system.
Many homeowners prefer the HVAC zoning system because its upfront costs are much cheaper than installing multiple systems. With HVAC zoning, you don’t need to purchase another centralized HVAC system for your home. You use your existing system. There’s also no need to calculate separate thermal capacities with a zoning system. If you were to install multiple systems, this would require precise calculation.
As many benefits that zoned heating and cooling offers for multi-story homes, it has some drawbacks. For instance, its centralized control makes it impossible to have more than one active setting at a time. For example, you can’t heat your lower level and cool the upper levels. Additionally, if the system breaks down, you’ll lose heating and cooling to the entire house.
Multi-System Heating and Cooling
A multi-system approach means you’ll have separate systems for the different levels in your home. You have a central HVAC system for the main level and one for the upper level. Households that have low-capacity HVAC systems and struggle to maintain desired household temperatures can benefit from the multi-system approach. Adding another system takes the strain off the main one and works great in homes with additions, too.
An enormous benefit of having more than one system is that you’ll enjoy precise temperature control no matter where you are in the home without your energy bill rising too much. In fact, many homeowners find their energy bills decrease because the duct lengths for multi-systems are shorter and minimize loss of treated air.
While multi-system heating and cooling systems have many advantages, they also have drawbacks. The major drawback is the cost. It’s expensive to install multiple central HVAC systems. There are also maintenance costs to consider. You’ll be maintaining two units.
Additionally, although having two HVAC systems can minimize treated air loss, they still consume more energy than one centralized system. While energy costs might not get out of hand, you will pay more.
Alternative HVAC Options
Zoned and multi-system options aren’t the only choices homeowners have for heating and cooling their multi-story homes. Other options include the following.
Ductless Mini-Split Systems
A ductless mini-split system works great in homes without existing ductwork. They work well for additions and renovations, such as finishing a basement or an attic space. Homes with ductless mini-split systems also enjoy flexible temperature control.
Window Air Conditioners
Some homeowners merely want to cool down their upper levels during the summer. If this is your goal and you want a quick fix, consider window air conditioners. They provide localized cooling, cost less than $200 to purchase, and can easily be uninstalled when winter arrives.
Energy-Efficiency Considerations
Energy-efficiency ratings matter also when selecting the right system for your multi-story home. Pay attention to the SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating, which measures how well the air conditioner or heat pump cools. The higher the SEER rating, the more energy-efficient the system is.
HVAC experts recommend a SEER rating of no less than 14 for multi-story homes. However, if you want even more energy efficiency and qualify for utility rebates, experts suggest installing HVAC systems with a SEER rating higher than 16.
Do HVAC Systems With Higher SEER Ratings Cost More?
Purchasing an HVAC system with a higher SEER rating has a greater upfront cost. However, it’s important to consider the long-term cost savings you get with higher SEER ratings. You’ll spend less on heating and cooling and, in some cases, those savings can pay for the system itself after a few years.
If you want a system with a higher SEER rating, but can’t afford the upfront cost, many HVAC companies like J&W Heating and Air + Plumbing, offer financing options and special discounts.
Size Matters
Heating and cooling a multi-story home is no simple task. Sizing the system correctly is necessary to achieve optimal climate control without spending a fortune on energy costs. Accurate sizing depends on several factors.
First, HVAC experts must perform load calculations. These calculations take into consideration the following factors about your home:
- Home orientation
- Insulation levels
- Number of windows
- Square footage
These factors play a crucial role in determining the heating and cooling capacity necessary to maintain your desired home temperature. Although you can find load-calculation calculators online, it’s recommended to rely on HVAC experts to determine the proper calculation.
Many people make the mistake when replacing their existing system in their multi-story home by relying on their existing unit’s model number and installing an upgraded version. This approach could cost you more money in the long run and not improve your heating and cooling efficiency. It is true for many people who live in multi-story homes that they might have never properly sized their current system for their home. Work closely with an HVAC expert and let them perform load calculations to ensure you purchase a powerful enough system to meet your household’s unique needs.
When you install a correctly sized HVAC unit in your multi-story home, you reap the benefits. Your system reduces energy waste. You enjoy lower utility bills. The system lasts longer because it experiences less wear and tear and has fewer maintenance issues. A properly sized system also effectively dehumidifies the air, resulting in a more comfortable environment and better indoor air quality.
Best Heating and Cooling Solutions
At J&W Heating and Air + Plumbing, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. We work with our customers to help them purchase and install HVAC systems that meet their household needs and budgets. In business since 1966, we have had a reputation for our commitment to customer satisfaction. We offer expert and affordable plumbing, heating, and cooling services. We also offer financing options and veteran and senior discounts to make HVAC repair and installation more affordable.
If you want better heating and cooling for your multi-story home, call J&W Heating and Air + Plumbing today, and let us show you your options.
