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Learn how to weatherize your home for summer and save on energy bills. Get expert tips and tricks from Sears Home Services.
Heating & Cooling System Self-Assessment
If you're wondering how to choose the best HVAC system for your home, start by asking yourself some key questions. Evaluating what’s most important to you will help guide your decision. Sears Home Services can help you prioritize your most important concerns, so that when you begin evaluating products and brands, your important points are addressed.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Evaluate comfort, air quality, UV light, humidity, and airflow for the right HVAC choice.
- Different systems impact air quality and comfort significantly.
- UV light and proper humidity boost home health and comfort.
Choosing the best HVAC system for your home involves considering key factors like air flow, the impact of filtration systems on air quality, and how humidity and temperature work together to create a comfortable home.
1. Comfort
Comfort issues often arise when your heater or air conditioner begins to decline or needs repair. To help assess if it's best to replace your HVAC system or schedule repair, consider these questions:
- Have you noticed a steady increase in your utility bill?
- Does your system tend to run all of the time?
- Is the second floor always warmer/cooler than the first floor?
- Are some rooms warmer or cooler than others?
- Are you adjusting your thermostat constantly?
- Do you notice that your home is very dry or very humid?
If you answered 'yes' to just one or two questions, you may just need yearly HVAC maintenance service. If the answer is 'yes' to several or all of these questions, it may be time for an HVAC repair or a full heating or central air conditioner system replacement.
2. Air Quality
Part of your decision on replacing your heating and cooling system is the importance of air quality. If you have someone in your household with breathing problems or allergies, then air quality may be a top priority. Perhaps you live near a road where a lot of dust is generated, which you’d like to keep out of your home. Regardless of the level of filtration you need, we have systems that will fit your lifestyle.
| Feature | Standard | Filter | Media Filter | Electronic Air Cleaner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Quality Level | Blocks 90% of Particles | Blocks 50% of particles | Blocks 90% of Particles | Blocks 99.9% of Particles |
| Pollen and Plant Spores | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Bacteria | All | Most | All | All |
| Atmospheric and Household Dust | Most | Most | Most | All |
| Lint | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Pet Dander and Insecticide Dust | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Tobacco Smoke | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Viruses | No | No | No | Yes |
3. Ultraviolet (UV) Light
Our healthy home solutions options also include different types of blocking capabilities. Ultraviolet light has its benefits, especially for killing bacteria and viruses.
- Used in food prep & medical field for years.
- Well-known for killing bacteria and viruses.
- Acts as a disinfectant by penetrating and reacting with the DNA in micro-organisms.
- Permanently alters DNA, inhibiting ability to reproduce.
- Mold & mildew spores are killed by the UV lights.
- Eliminates up to 99.9% of mold spores in your system.
- Kills up to 87% of certain airborne bacteria passing through the system.
- Reduces indoor coil maintenance.
4. Humidity
Humidity impacts how temperature feels. The ideal humidity range is between 40%- 60% in your home. At this level the warmth you ‘feel’ in the house will equal what is displayed on the thermostat. Without system assisted humidification your home will likely feel 2-5 degrees cooler than what the heating system is pumping out. Each degree can equal up to an additional 5% difference on your energy bill. Heating Systems can assist with humidification so your home feels exactly like the temperature setting.
5. Air Flow
Another common concern is the inconsistency in temperature from room to room in your home. You might notice that one room feels warm while another is cool, especially in climates with significant temperature fluctuations. Older HVAC units often struggle to regulate these changes effectively. Insulation levels and duct leakage can also contribute to uneven temperatures. Variable airflow systems offer a solution by helping to maintain a consistent temperature throughout your home. The chart below explains how each system performs during temperature changes.
| Temperature | Dual Fuel | Package System | Electric AC Split | Electric HP Split | Furnace AC Split |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hot | Heat pump runs at 100% capacity. | AC and HP Units run at 100% capacity. | AC runs at 100% capacity, high stage. | Heat pump runs at 100% capacity. | AC runs at 100% capacity, high stage. |
| Moderately Warm | AC runs at 67% capacity. | AC and HP Units run at 67% capacity | AC runs at 67% capacity. | Heat pump runs at 67% capacity. | AC runs at 67% capacity. |
| Moderately Cool | Heat pump runs at 67% capacity. Gas Furnace runs at 70% capacity, low stage. | Two stage HP unit provides economical heat. | Electric Air Handler heat strip provides all the heat required. | Heat pump runs at 67% capacity. | Gas Furnace runs at 70% capacity, low stage. |
| Cool/Cold | Heat pump runs at 100% capacity. Gas Furnace runs at 100% capacity, high stage. | Electric heat strip or a gas furnace provides sufficient heat to meet needs. | Electric Air Handler heat strip provides all the heat required. | Heat pump runs at 100% capacity, high stage. Electric Air Handler heat strip provides all the heat required. | Gas Furnace runs at 100% capacity, high stage. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s a heating and cooling self-assessment?
It's a quick way to evaluate your home’s comfort and energy use, identifying signs of HVAC trouble. Sears Home Services can follow up with a professional inspection if needed.
Which areas should I check first?
Look for cold or hot spots, rising utility bills, and visible duct leaks. Sears Home Services can pinpoint underlying causes, such as dirty coils or undersized equipment.
Do I need special tools for a self-assessment?
A simple thermometer for room checks and a flashlight for ducts can help. For deeper testing, Sears Home Services uses advanced diagnostic tools.
When should I call a pro?
If you find major issues like constant cycling, musty odors, or severe temperature swings. Sears Home Services ensures accurate fixes for lasting comfort.
Schedule your HVAC maintenance now!
HVAC checkups from Sears Home Services help keep your heating and cooling system running at its best. Prevent costly repairs and can make your HVAC system more energy efficient with routine maintenance.
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Maintain HVAC Resources
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Glossary Terms
The 608 Certification, mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is required for HVAC technicians to legally handle refrigerants. It ensures technicians understand refrigerant types, environmental impact, and proper handling techniques.
A compressor is a mechanical device that increases the pressure of a gas by reducing its volume, essential in various systems including refrigerators, air conditioners, and HVAC units for cooling and refrigeration processes.
A condenser is a component of HVAC and refrigeration systems, responsible for releasing absorbed heat from the refrigerant into the outside air or a water line, thus facilitating the cooling process.
A capacitor in an AC unit is an electrical component that stores and releases electrical energy to help start the motor and stabilize the voltage during operation.
Common Repair HVAC Symptoms
When your Payne central air conditioner won’t turn on or isn’t cooling, check for power problems, a failed capacitor, or a clogged condensate drain. This guide covers quick, safe troubleshooting steps and explains when to call Sears Home Services for expert central AC repair.
When your ICP central air conditioner won’t turn on or isn’t cooling, check for power problems, a failed capacitor, or a clogged condensate drain. This guide covers quick, safe troubleshooting steps and explains when to call Sears Home Services for expert central AC repair.
When your Heil central air conditioner won’t turn on or isn’t cooling, check for power problems, a failed capacitor, or a clogged condensate drain. This guide covers quick, safe troubleshooting steps and explains when to call Sears Home Services for expert central AC repair.
When your Carrier central air conditioner won’t turn on or isn’t cooling, check for power problems, a failed capacitor, or a clogged condensate drain. This guide covers quick, safe troubleshooting steps and explains when to call Sears Home Services for expert central AC repair.
When your Comfortmaker central air conditioner won’t turn on or isn’t cooling, check for power problems, a failed capacitor, or a clogged condensate drain. This guide covers quick, safe troubleshooting steps and explains when to call Sears Home Services for expert central AC repair.
When your Ruud central air conditioner won’t turn on or isn’t cooling, check for power problems, a failed capacitor, or a clogged condensate drain. This guide covers quick, safe troubleshooting steps and explains when to call Sears Home Services for expert central AC repair.