Should You Have Multiple HVAC Systems Instead Of One?

Most people only have one central HVAC system for their home. There's a good chance they might not have ever even thought about why since that's the way their home was when they bought it and the other homes they considered also had one HVAC system. However, there might be cases where it's better to have multiple HVAC systems to cover different areas of your home. Here's what you should consider.

Why People Use One HVAC System

The first step is thinking about why people end up using one HVAC system. There are three factors that usually control the decision.

The first is simplicity. If a home already has a single HVAC system, it's easier to just keep using it than to consider making changes.

The second is installation cost. A single large central HVAC unit typically costs less to install than the combined cost of two or more smaller units. This is a big reason why home developers who aren't in the custom home business stick to central HVAC systems.

The third is maintenance. With only one HVAC system in place, there's less filters to change and less parts to clean. There's also only one system that can break.

Adding an HVAC System for New Rooms

Many homeowners make the mistake of just adding a vent to their existing HVAC system if they add a new room or finish their basement. This is usually because of reasons of cost and simplicity.

However, because central HVAC systems are typically sized and calibrated to the size of the home at installation, the new square footage that needs to be heated and cooled presents problems. The system may not be powerful enough to provide efficient heating and cooling to the whole house, and portions of the home may be left too hot or too cold.

Using a Split HVAC System on a Multi-Level House

Homeowners with multiple levels face a common problem. They can't keep the upstairs cool during the summer without freezing the downstairs, and they can't keep the downstairs warm during the winter without boiling the upstairs.

An easy way to solve this is by having a separate HVAC system for each floor. When heat rises during the summer, the upstairs unit can run longer while the downstairs unit turns off once the downstairs is at a comfortable temperature. The reverse applies during the winter.

To learn more about which HVAC setup might be best for your home, talk to a local HVAC contractor like Winters Heating Cooling & Indoor Air Quality today.