Hybrid Heating and Cooling

Look for the heating and cooling industry to put on a greener face in the coming decade. Already geothermal is making quite a dent in the HVAC sector, and solar may not be so far behind. Still these technologies are too expensive for most homeowners. Geothermal and solar space heating systems can run easily over $10,000 and even up to $20,000.

Costs are definitely high for renewable HVAC systems, but so is eagerness to cut dependence on fossil fuels. It is widely accepted that green heating and cooling will save money in the long run, despite any up-front hurdles. But those hurdles are especially tall for apprehensive homeowners in the midst of a recession. In come hybrid HVAC systems to bridge the gap.

Air Central Controls, a southern-based company, specializes in hybrid systems so that they can offer customers the best of both worlds. A hybrid heating and cooling system will still use conventional grid power but can cut the cost in half while still lessening reliance on fossil fuels. They point out that hybrid systems run much less, requiring less overall energy and less maintenance. The opposite is true of conventional systems, which cost more as inflation rises and energy supplies drop. While the cost of renewable or hybrid systems breaks even over time thanks to ongoing savings, conventional systems inevitably grow more expensive.

Hybrid HVAC systems offer homeowners a relatively inexpensive way to get the green ball rolling at home, bridging that gap while technology and price catch up to their sustainable ambitions.

Photo credit: Air Central Controls

Posted on March 9th in Solar Products by Dan.