HVAC INSTALLATION

Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning and sometime Dehumidifying

An HVAC system typically has three primary functions - heating, ventilation and air conditioning. An additional functionality might be humidity control, especially when natural ventilation is insufficient or not practical. Most HVAC system use ductwork to distribute heat or condition air. Ductless HVAC systems are suitable for spaces where ductwork is less plausible. Programmable thermostats and zone control increase installation costs but lower operating and maintenance costs. They are worth considering in many instances. With an HVAC unit, size matters. Major factor in properly sizing unit selection are:

The amount of space in need of climate control
The insulation of the building

Picking the right unit is only the first step. Correctly pairing the unit with optimal ductwork - properly installed, balanced and sealed - ensures the efficiency, longevity and lower maintenance cost of the system. The basic components of a system are:

Mixed air plenum and outdoor air control
Air filter
Exhaust fan
Ducts
Outdoor air intake and return system
Heating and cooling coils

Systems can be centralized or decentralized. Water cooled systems have additional components. Thermostats add the benefit of being able to set a desired temperature and have the system automatically adjust based on how the hot or cold outside temperature impact your home's interior ambient temperature. Programmable thermostats add the ability to moderate usage based on lifestyle patterns such as weekdays versus weekend, workday versus time at home, or daytime versus sleep hours. The heating system can be combined or separated from the air conditioner or vice versa. Individuals suffering from asthma need to be especially vigilant against allergens or other conditions that might exacerbate their condition. Dehumidifiers are especially recommended for homes susceptible to mold growth (especially basements areas) or mildew.

Sorting Options And Calculating Hvac Needs

At Acosta Home & Air Pro, we sweat the details of figuring out the correct system for your needs and advise you of potential viable options to consider. First, we perform a load calculation factoring your home size, insulation, construction and layout. We evaluate any system installed previously - either a heat pump, straight cool or packaged system - or ductwork that may be present. Your home's indoor air quality, thermal comfort, and energy efficiency can all influence whether a split system is plausible. Depending on the size of your home, central air can be delivered in zones. For example, you could have a programmed temperature set for times when you are asleep or out of the house. A ductless HVAC unit could be used for a moderately size area or room of your home or business.

Limited space could prohibit ductwork. Alternatively, aesthetic preference might push residential or commercial clients towards a ductless solution. The typical installation involves ductwork. Incorrectly designed or poorly maintained ductwork lead to wasteful energy usage and shortens the life span of HVAC units. From an individual or business standpoint, hiring an inexperienced or amateur installer may save on upfront costs but will definitely cost more in maintenance, replacement and ineffectiveness. From a collective standpoint, public policy aims for maximum energy efficiency since HVACs account for 40% or energy usage by commercial buildings in the United States. The oil embargo of 1973 prompted the Department of Energy to legislate the Energy Policy and Conservation Act.

This in turn has resulted in 40% improvement in HVAC energy efficiency in the past 35 years. The targets published for 2025 are even more ambitious.

When it comes to manufacturers, homeowners have many excellent choices ranging from Amana or Goodman at the lower end, Ruud or Bryant in the mid-range, Carrier or Lennox at the higher range. Many manufacturers offer 5-year warranty on their units. Acosta Home & Air Pro offers a similar warranty on installation workmanship.

The government requires that every manufacturer publishes the SEER or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio of every model to standardize comparison of energy usage. The higher the number, the greater the energy savings. HVACs are additionally rated in BTU (British Thermal Units) which translates to the amount of energy needed to heat or cool one pound of water by one degree. This measurement indicates how big of a unit to get given the size of your space. One ton of energy is required for an area of 400 to 600 square feet. So, an average home in Westchester County ranging in size from 2,000 to 3,000 square feet would require a 5-ton unit. The matching R-6 insulated, flex ductwork would average about $2,500 to install, give or take $500.

With all that said, you will not be quizzed on remembering these details. This is an explanation of some of the things we consider in evaluating your needs. It serves as a broad guideline of what you can budget for in terms of an HVAC installation. At the end of the day, the main takeaway is that we have years of expertly selecting, designing, and installing a broad range of HVAC systems in residential and commercial settings. Additionally, we offer maintenance and repair services, whether we’ve installed the HVAC system or not. We look forward to answering your questions and serving your needs.

Call us at 914-875-3266 to discuss your project today!