The hot desert climate in Arizona means that homeowners need to install a reliable and powerful cooling system to maintain year-round comfort.
However, some may find themselves wondering what the best HVAC system is for Glendale. The most popular choices for homeowners include central AC, heat pumps, and ductless mini-splits.
In this article, the experts at Bumble Bee Home Services discuss how to choose the right HVAC for a desert climate, along with the unique pros and cons of the top choices.
Central AC
A central AC is a traditional HVAC system and a popular choice for the Glendale area. With an outdoor condenser and an indoor evaporator coil, the system uses refrigerant to cool air and then distribute it through your home’s ductwork.
Pros of Central AC
There are several benefits to a central AC system, including:
- Powerful cooling for even large homes
- Options for air filtration and dehumidification
- Effective in high-heat environments like Glendale
Cons of Central AC
Disadvantages to selecting a central AC system include:
- High energy usage and operating costs
- Need for ductwork
- Expensive installation and operating costs
Heat Pumps
If you’re looking for a more energy-efficient HVAC system in Glendale, a heat pump is an excellent option. These systems use thermal transfer to pull heat into and out of your home to provide both heating and cooling. Because they don’t generate heat, they use far less energy than traditional systems.
Pros of Heat Pumps
Homeowners who choose a heat pump experience benefits that include:
- Dual heating and cooling for year-round comfort
- Excellent performance in Glendale’s mild winters
- Lower long-term energy costs
Cons of Heat Pumps
Things to consider before choosing a heat pump for your Glendale home include:
- Higher upfront costs compared to central AC alone
- Energy loss issues with ducted systems
Ductless Mini-Splits
The most cost-efficient option for Glendale homes is a ductless mini-split system. These feature a single outdoor unit connected to several indoor air handlers to provide customizable cooling, and sometimes heat, for your home. Because this minimizes any wasted HVAC usage, it’s one of the most energy-efficient systems on the market.
Pros of Ductless Mini-Splits
HVAC experts recommend ductless mini-split systems for homeowners looking for:
- Top-tier energy efficiency and reduced energy bills
- Zoned control to cool or heat individual spaces
- Home comfort that doesn’t rely on ductwork
Cons of Ductless Mini-Splits
A ductless mini-split system does come with some disadvantages, including:
- Higher upfront costs than central AC alone
- Visible indoor air handlers that can affect aesthetics
- Limited effectiveness for larger homes
Choosing the Right HVAC System for Your Home
Now that you’ve got an idea about the HVAC systems that are available, how do you go about selecting the right one? They all come with different advantages and disadvantages, but certain factors about your home also come into play when choosing the best option.
- Your home’s size and square footage: The size of your home plays a major role in which type of HVAC system works best. Central air options are commonly the best call for larger homes as they can cool bigger spaces more efficiently. Smaller residences can often get by with ductless mini splits or heat pumps.
- Ductwork status: Does your home already have ductwork in place? Is it in good health and ready to support a new central air conditioner? Homes without ductwork won’t be left out in the heat though, as ductless systems still provide powerful cooling options. Ductwork updates or replacements may also be necessary to prepare your home for a modern cooling system.
- Cooling goals: Are you looking for a simple, easy to use setup, or are you after something more complex like a zoned cooling system? You’ll need to decide on how important energy efficiency is to select a system with the right SEER rating, and if you want full control over different zones of your house you won’t want certain models that can’t offer it.
- Budgetary concerns: Smaller systems come with smaller price tags. You’ll want to consider upfront investment and long-term savings that you’ll get from each option. Some of the more expensive to install systems with higher SEER ratings will save you large amounts of cash in the long run.
SEER2 Ratings and You
The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio of your new air conditioner shows you how energy efficient it is, obviously. Known as the SEER rating until it switched to SEER2 in 2023, a higher number means a higher-performing air conditioner. Your air conditioner in Glendale has to at least hit a SEER2 rating of 14.3 to meet the minimum cooling requirement. Don’t be phased by the higher price tag that comes with some of the higher-rated options, they may cost more to install but they bring in big long-term savings.
Our AC Installation Process
Now that you’ve spent some time learning about HVAC systems, their benefits, and their pitfalls you may be wondering how the installation process actually works. We’ve been hard at work in Arizona for years setting homes up for year-round cooling success, so we have a tried and true installation process.
Here’s what you can expect throughout your new AC install when you sign up with Bumble Bee Home Services:
- A full in-home assessment to gather information about square footage, insulation status, window placement, ceiling heights, and more to get a clear picture of the space we’re working with.
- A full manual load calculation that uses the data from our home assessment to figure out the power your air conditioner needs to supply your home and all of its rooms with complete cooling.
- Full permit management by the Bumble Bee team.
- Arrival and removal of your old air conditioner (if there is one to replace).
- The full installation process begins and your HVAC team places equipment and air handlers as necessary.
- A final thorough test and full walk-through of your new HVAC system. Your team will show you how the new system works and answer any questions you have before cleaning up and heading out.
Bumble Bee Home Services Can Install Your New HVAC System
Whether you’re interested in installing a heat pump, mini-split, or central AC, the team at Bumble Bee Home Services is here with comprehensive cooling services in the Glendale area.
Our locally operated business provides award-winning care, along with upfront pricing and same-day service. Plus, with our 100% satisfaction guarantee, you can trust that we’ll guide you through the process of choosing the best AC system for your unique home and needs.
Stay cool this summer with Bumble Bee Home Services. Call today to schedule AC installation for your Glendale home.
