When my husband and I built a new house in Glenview, Illinois, temperature control was a major consideration.
The average annual temperature in our local area swings from the low teens into the high eighties.
There are issues with high humidity in the summer and overly dry air in the winter. For the majority of the year, heating and cooling is necessary. We need equipment that is powerful as well as energy efficient. I looked into all different styles of systems, including furnaces, air conditioners, boilers and heat pumps. Eventually, I came across a hybrid heating system, which combines a natural gas furnace with an electric heat pump. Although this option was more expensive than a more traditional alternative, the cost savings on monthly utility bills quickly recovered the investment. The benefit of a heat pump rather than an air conditioner is that it provides both heating and cooling. Over the summer, the heat pump keeps the house perfectly cool. It effectively dehumidifies and offers exceptional energy efficiency. When the weather turns cooler, the heat pump switches over to heating mode and literally reverses the flow of refrigerant. Rather than burning fossil fuels, the system utilizes existing ambient heat in the outside air, compressing it to a higher temperature and transferring it into the house. The heat pump is more environmentally friendly and energy efficient than the furnace. We only require the furnace once the outdoor conditions drop below freezing. At that point, the heat pump loses effectiveness and the furnace automatically starts up. We enjoy ideal comfort no matter what the weather brings.
central air replacement Glenview Illinois