The Top Heating and Cooling Trends in 2023

With the New Year on the horizon (or maybe just passed, depending on the time you are reading this), it is time to get your HVAC system modernized, so your family can stay healthy as you ride out the rest of the winter into spring and summer. Whether you’ve saved up money from holiday gifts or planned to budget for the next few months for an upgrade, now is the perfect time to start on a home improvement project.

Upgrading your heating and cooling system not only adds value to your home but also keeps your family safe during the changing seasons. Not to mention, new HVAC systems last longer and are more energy efficient, so you’ll no longer have to deal with excessively high energy bills.

At General Heating & Air Conditioning in Shakopee, MN, we specialize in providing excellent heating and air conditioning installation with unmatched customer service. To better serve our community, we stay updated on all of the latest heating and cooling news.

In this post, we’re breaking down the top heating and cooling trends of 2023 to help you make the best decision for your home. Give us a call to schedule your Twin Cities HVAC system upgrades today!

Geothermal Heat Pump Installation

If you don’t know much about geothermal heat pumps, now is a good time to get in the know. According to industry experts, geothermal is taking off in a big way this year. As homeowners and builders look for new ways to reduce their environmental impact, geothermal systems offer a promising alternative to traditional furnaces.

How Geothermal Heat Pump Systems Work

Residential geothermal pumps are similar to refrigerators in their function by using a solution to transport heat. Whereas traditional heating works by burning fuel, geothermal heat pumps use underground pipes known as loops to draw heat from deep within the earth. The temperature underground remains constant throughout the year, no matter if it’s cold or hot outside.

The geothermal loops contain a solution that absorbs heat and transports it to the pump. Once it reaches the geothermal heat pump, this heat is transferred into the pump, where it is then exchanged with a liquid refrigerant to create a heated vapor. Finally, this vapor is transferred into the air from the heat exchanger and through the duct system, where it is then used to heat a home, business, or another type of building.

Geothermal heat has many advantages:

• Heats and cools your home
• Requires little maintenance
• Works well in cold and warm weather
• Lasts longer than conventional furnaces
• Tends to experience less wear and tear than furnaces
• May qualify for ENERGY STAR tax credits

Switching to a Geothermal System

One important thing to know about geothermal systems is that they require a significant initial investment but pay off in the long run. Over time, heat pumps can be much more cost effective than traditional heating systems. With more than 50,000 geothermal heat pumps installed each year throughout the United States, it’s easy to see why geothermal systems are the wave of the future.

An additional advantage to switching to a geothermal system is that geothermal energy is renewable, meaning you’ll have less carbon footprint using geothermal than a gas or electric furnace. Geothermal systems do not require fossil fuel combustion to operate, and many of them can operate outside the electrical grid if necessary.

While it isn’t wise to bear the Minnesota winter not connected to the electrical grid, improvements in geothermal technology may make this the case soon, so investing early may not be a bad idea.

Smart Heating and Cooling Systems

Not long ago, the Internet of Things (IoT) was a relatively recent concept that many homeowners felt had little to do with them. However, over the past few years, wifi-enabled smart technology has taken the world by storm.

Millions of Americans are using smart technology daily, connecting their phones to devices throughout their homes to give them control from anywhere with just the push of a button. It stands to reason that thermostats are joining the ranks of wifi-enabled products like televisions, security systems, lights, and smart locks.

These days, homeowners are connecting all types of appliances throughout their homes. They wake up in the morning with automatic lights, coffee, and news updates. After leaving for work, their lights dim and their thermostat system adjusts itself to a more efficient temperature. As they begin their commute to head home, they use their digitally connected devices to reconfigure their lights and thermostat for optimal comfort.

Here are just some of the reasons to love smart thermostats:

• Track your household’s energy usage
• Reduce heating and cooling costs
• Reduce your household energy footprint
• Control your HVAC system from anywhere

Residential Indoor Air Quality Systems

2020 was a year unlike any other in history, with the global pandemic transforming how we conceptualize the concept of remote work. Millions of Americans began working at home for the first time ever, and millions of children began learning at home at the same time. Even as the world is beginning to resume normal activities, the workforce is forever changed as employers and employees learn the benefits of working remotely.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the air inside of modern homes can be even more polluted than the air outside. With all of that time spent at home, indoor air quality has become more important than ever. After all, no one wants to be trapped inside a dusty space filled with stale air while they’re typing reports and attending Zoom meetings.

Whether you’re working in a small home office or your living room, having a comfortable humidity level and fresh air inside your home can significantly improve your quality of life. At General Heating & Air Conditioning, we can install air scrubbers and whole-house humidifiers to make your home more comfortable every day of the year.

Air Scrubbers

If you want to avoid breathing in contaminants, it is time to purchase an air scrubber. Air scrubbers are air filtration devices that remove airborne pollutants without being connected to your ducts.

Air scrubbers have a wide range of benefits, which include:

• Improving Your Home Air Quality: Get over respiratory illnesses, breathe more easily with asthma, and reduce the time you deal with seasonal allergies.
• Preventing Mold Growth: Filter out fine mold spores in the air for personal use or home renovation projects.
• Removing Dust Mites
• Helping You Sleep Better and Longer
• Removing Excess Microbes & Other Pollutants

Whole-House Humidifiers

Seasons in Minnesota are cyclical, so just because we are in the New Year, it doesn’t mean you don’t have to worry about winter again. Whole-house humidifiers provide increased water vapor throughout your home to combat dry air.

With a whole-house humidifier, you can avoid unnecessary expenses like replacing your floors or repainting earlier than you have to and save money on energy bills. Whole-house humidifiers also help you get over the cold, flu, and seasonal allergies quicker.

Call Our Twin Cities Heating and Air Conditioning Service

Are you ready to schedule your spring 2023 home improvements? Our General Heating & Air Conditioning pros are here to help! Contact us online or give us a call at 952-445-2820 to connect with a home air conditioning specialist today. We look forward to serving your heating and air conditioning installation and repair needs this year.