Central air conditioning systems and heat pumps usually last for 10 to 12 years, and furnaces last for about 15 years. If your Denver-area home is ready for a replacement HVAC system, you might be wondering what has changed in the heating and cooling world. Here are some of the most recent HVAC advancements that you should know about when arranging for a replacement or new installation in your home.
Smart Thermostats
Smart thermostats have been around for a couple of years, but the most recent models offer a range of convenient features. One such feature is a remote sensor. These sensors can determine when you are occupying a room, and they adjust the heating or cooling cycles accordingly. Some of them are able to control smart vents, allowing the vents to close in the rooms you aren’t using and open in the rooms you are using. Geofencing is another new feature of smart thermostats. They use the GPS information on your phone in order to determine if you’re home or not. If you’re away from home, it sets your home’s temperature to the away setting. These features increase comfort and lower energy use.
Zoned Comfort Systems
Zoned comfort systems are another recent HVAC advancement. They include ductless and mini-split heat pumps and air conditioners. You can set up to four separate zones in your home. Each zone has its own thermostat, and you can customize the temperature on each. This allows you to have the living space at one temperature, the master bedroom at another temperature, and other areas of your home, such as secondary bedrooms at a different temperature. If one person in your home likes a cool bedroom, you do not have to cool the entire house to that temperature. Not only do you save money with a zoned comfort system, but you can also make your home more comfortable for everyone’s preferences.
Dual-Fuel Heat Pumps
Most heat pumps operate on electricity. However, a newer innovation is the dual-fuel heat pump. These heat pumps can use natural gas alongside electricity. An electric heat pump is not efficient at temperatures below about 15 degrees Fahrenheit. Electric heat pumps have a back-up resistance heater that automatically kicks in at those low temperatures. It does this because the heat pump is unable to extract enough heat from the outdoors at cold temperatures. However, these resistance panels use a lot of electricity for the amount of heat they produce. A dual-fuel heat pump turns to natural gas at extremely cold temperatures. The natural gas is more efficient at heating your Colorado home on the frigid winter nights. When the weather is mild, the electric heating function is more efficient.
Thermal Air Conditioning
Thermal air conditioning systems are a new innovation to consider for your Colorado home. They use a chiller design, which reduces energy usage and allows you to enjoy more consistent indoor temperature and humidity levels compared to a regular central air conditioner. This type of air conditioner uses a combination of solar power and natural gas. A traditional central air conditioning system only uses electricity for power. Thermal air conditioning has fewer moving parts, and it requires less maintenance and fewer repairs. It works by making hundreds of pounds of ice at a time overnight. On the next afternoon, the ice is used to cool the refrigerant. With the ice-cooling, the refrigerant instead of a compressor doing it, energy usage, and your home’s carbon footprint are lower.
Varibale-Speed Motors
Variable-speed motors are available for furnaces and heat pumps. They are designed to operate at a low level when temperatures are moderate. The low operating speed reduces energy usage. At a higher speed, they work faster to cool or heat the home. A variable-speed system will typically use the high-speed setting in order to reach the temperature you set on your thermostat. Once that temperature is reached, they maintain it by occasionally cycling at a lower speed. This saves energy without sacrificing comfort.
At True Heating & Cooling, our NATE-certified technicians are prepared to tell you more about the most recent HVAC advancements and how they can benefit your comfort. Our qualified technicians also offer heating and cooling maintenance, repair, and installation services for your Denver-area home. Our indoor air quality solutions and carbon monoxide detection systems keep your home clean, healthy, and safe. To learn more about recent advancements in HVAC technology, contact us at True Heating & Cooling in Broomfield today.