HVAC Buying Guide: Choosing The Right Brand

Are you an HVAC specialist looking to update an indoor or outdoor unit? Do you need help examining new heating and cooling systems on the market? Trust this HVAC buying guide. We want to ensure you are choosing the right brand when making repairs or replacements.

Fitment is often more important than branding. You might be surprised to hear that from a company like ours, but we've found that making sure all HVAC components fit together and prove compatible with one another is the most important part of buying this kind of equipment. Durability is also important, but a majority of the top brands now market more durable gear that should be able to stand up to quite a bit of usage.

Keep these tips in mind if you're shopping for new HVAC gear. We want to ensure you make the right choice.

Types Of HVAC Systems

Four different major HVAC systems exist. Each has different power sources, benefits, and tradeoffs. A few types involve centralized air conditioner units, while others have individual options. Some invest more in energy efficiency, while others are better at maintaining indoor air quality.

Duct-Free

Also called Mini-split, this type of HVAC system has separate heating and air conditioning units for different rooms or areas. The units add regional temperature control, making it useful for buildings that contain multiple businesses, hotels, and multi-home rentals. Ducts usually have sensors like the Trane SEN1092 CO2, to monitor air flow and heat distribution.

Split System

These units are the most common kind, owing to tradition and adaptability to different climates. You receive both an indoor and outdoor unit within a split system. The air conditioning will funnel cool air from outside using compressors and coils. An indoor heating unit will distribute air from an attic or basement-like room.

Brands like Carrier have parts for split system. Consider the 33CSPREMLK 01 R Premierlink CONTROL from Carrier if you are in need of a heat pump control.

Hybrid Split System

A hybrid electric heater system alternates between the traditional indoor and outdoor units, which are powered by central electricity, and with a gas alternative. Gas power is cheaper and allows for more versatility within the HVAC system. The choice to alternate reduces energy costs and potential wastage.

Packaged Heating And Cooling

You will most likely see this HVAC unit in smaller houses, where an outdoor cooling system is impractical to install. Here, a joint heating and cooling unit share space on a room floor and heat the entire house. They are best for either warm climates or small living spaces.

How to Pick The Right HVAC System Brand

A number of brands actually sell the same sort of parts under more than one marque name. That's because some brands are essentially manufacturers for others while some are parts of larger organizations that have a number of firms together under one family of companies.

In these cases, you might be able to find parts sold under one name that should work equally well for a number of different use cases. TakeEmerson, for instance, which has actually grown to market parts forCarrier at different times. On top of this, they've sold some components under several other names as well.

Nevertheless, some brands do much more business than others and there's very often a reason for this.Amana-Goodman and Trane are among the top-selling furnace brands. By getting a new furnace that's from one of these brands, you might actually be investing in your future to some degree.

Replacing Central Air Conditioner Or Furnace Units Over Time

Components do wear out over time and you'll eventually have to replace some. If you have a furnace that still receives some support from the manufacturer, then you'll be in a better position compared to someone who has to track down a rare legacy part.

Popularity isn't necessarily an indication of the functionality of a component, but those that are popular should have replacements available for some years to come. Exotic solutions tend to be more difficult to maintain after they no longer receive manufacturer support.

Surveying Available HVAC System Parts

Rather than looking just at the branding, take a few moments to check over the dimensions of the current part that you have installed. By recording all of the size specifications, you can be more certain that you're going to get exactly what you need.

These are normally specified in either customary or metric measurements, with many manufacturers providing both to reduce the amount of conversion work that you have to do. In certain cases, manufacturers will actually provide a reorder number so you can be absolutely sure that the new piece you're getting is what you were looking for.

Let Furnace Part Source Upgrade Your HVAC Systems

We stand behind all of our equipment at Furnace Part Source. To begin with, we wouldn't ever knowingly sell a faulty part, and we can make recommendations for component upgrades. That's why we can help any HVAC contractor in need of components for air ducts.

You may find that it's hard to get the exact specifications for some kind of part regardless of what brand it might carry. When that happens, feel free to contact our team online and we'll help you find what you need to get your HVAC system back up and running.