Over decades of home ownership, I have had to replace two HVAC systems. They were in different homes, and each of the homes had specific needs. What I didn’t realize at the time was that climate played a role in the units the HVAC contractors offered me. Subsequent research helped me to understand why climate matters when choosing an HVAC system.
‘HVAC’ is an acronym that stands for ‘heating, ventilation, and air conditioning’. So if you have a furnace, air conditioner, or both in your home, you have an HVAC system. HVAC systems need to do different things in the summer and winter. And what they do is influenced by the local climate.
3 Primary Considerations
Choosing a new HVAC system requires looking at a lot of options. There are plenty of decisions to be made. From the standpoint of climate and its influence, Utah’s Comfort Solutions points out three primary considerations:
Temperature Variation – Temperature variations partly influence how hard an HVAC system works. Take Utah. Its climate offers very hot summers and frigid winters. Temperature variations between the seasons are extreme. So a Utah HVAC system needs to be able to handle both heating and cooling demands without issue.
Humidity – Humidity impacts how well in HVAC system both heats and cools. High humidity in the summer will force the air conditioner to work harder. Low humidity in the winter means more work for the furnace. Utah is exceptionally dry, so winter tends to be harder on HVAC systems.
Altitude – HVAC efficiency is impacted by altitude. The higher the altitude, the less efficient furnaces and air conditioners are. Manufacturers and installers may have to make adjustments for higher altitude regions.
Climate also impacts environmental conditions known to affect HVAC systems. Mold and mildew are not a big concern in Utah thanks to its relatively dry climate. But Utah heating and cooling contractors do have to deal with an excessive amount of dirt and debris.
Meanwhile, contractors on the Atlantic coast worry less about dirt and debris and more about pollen, mold, and mildew. Their climate is much more humid, creating an entirely different environment in which HVAC systems need to operate.
Choosing Features for the Climate
A heating and cooling contractor will recommend HVAC systems based on performance and efficiency first. Performance and efficiency are the most important factors in determining long-term comfort and reliability. But there is also room to consider certain features that address the local climate for better heating and cooling.
For example, investing in an air purification system is a wise idea in Utah thanks to a phenomenon known as winter inversion. When winter air gets extremely cold in Utah, it traps dirt, debris, and pollutants closer to the earth. All that junk can easily make its way into a home’s HVAC system. A good way to combat it is with an air purification system.
By contrast, homeowners in the Carolinas would do well to invest in humidifiers. Installing a humidifier within an HVAC system helps keep humidity under control. The system doesn’t have to work as hard because the humidifier is helping. In addition, the humidifier makes the home more comfortable during the winter and reduces mold and mildew growth during the summer.
Where You Live Matters
It turns out that where you live matters to how your HVAC system performs. So if you need to install a new system, take a good look at the local climate and how it affects heating and cooling. Choose the most appropriate model for your climate. You will be glad you did.
