Wisconsin HVAC Calculator

HVAC stands for Heating Ventilation & Air Conditioning. HVAC systems deliver heat, cold air, ventilation and temperature control to homes, businesses, offices and other buildings

If you want to keep your unit running smoothly and prevent stressful heating and cooling issues, yes. During maintenance checkups, technicians will:

• Check calibration and control settings
• Inspect the drains and condensation
• Assess gas, burner, and heat exchange components
• Clean out the coils and blower

Technicians ensure all connections are intact, & they’ll lubricate the HVAC system + check the refrigerant charge.

There are several types of HVAC systems and all are either ducted or ductless. Ducted systems push air through ducts to provide heating or cooling, and ductless systems use coils to deliver heat or cold air to a space.

HVAC systems last an average of 15-25 years. Proper maintenance and professional care can extend the life of your HVAC system and help you avoid costly repairs.

Split systems are the most common HVAC setup for residential heating and cooling. With split systems, the heating unit is placed in a basement, closet or storage area and the cooling unit is outside. Temperature in split systems is controlled by a single thermostat.

Packaged heating and cooling systems are a great choice for small spaces because they are compact, energy-efficient and can be placed out of the way- for example outside, in an attic/crawl space or on the roof. Packaged heating and cooling systems are also easier to maintain because everything is in a single unit.

HVAC professionals use building size, climate, and available energy sources to determine which type of system is appropriate for a particular space.

Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER)

• Measures annual energy consumption of the heat pump + cooling efficiency from everyday use. Higher SEER numbers mean more energy efficiency.

  • In the northern US, the minimum required SEER rating is 13.

Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE):

• Measures how efficiently a gas furnace consumes fuel to produce heat. The higher the rate, the greater the efficiency.

  • All new furnaces manufactured in the USA must have at least 80% AFUE.

Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF):

• Measures air source heat pump efficiency. Higher HSPF ratings mean better efficiency.

  • Ratings for new units in the USA range from 7.0-9.4.

An electric heat pump system redistributes heat using a refrigerant that circulates between the indoor fan coil unit and the outdoor compressor.

• Electric heat pump systems have SEER and HSPF ratings.

A gas furnace burns natural gas or propane to create heat. The heat is transferred into the furnace’s heat exchanger, and a blower fan pulls air from the building and into the furnace to heat the air. Heat from a gas furnace is distributed through air ducts in a building, apartment, or home.

• Gas furnaces have AFUE ratings.

• Clean and change your air filters regularly to keep your air quality clean and prevent clogs. Change your filters about once a month in the summer and winter and every other month in the spring and fall. In the summer, clean your outdoor coils monthly.
• Keep spaces in front of vents clear to maintain effective airflow.
• Consider shades for extra-sunny windows or draft blockers for external doorways.
• When you’re not home, turn your thermostat 4-6 degrees higher if it’s hot out and 4-6 degrees lower if it’s cold out to reduce energy use and your energy bill.
• Schedule regular checkups (2x/year) on your system to prevent potentially costly and potentially dangerous problems, and be sure to keep carbon monoxide and fire detectors in working order to alert you of any hazards.