TryBuildCalcHVAC Resources (6 guides)
Central air vs ductless comparisons, heat pump vs furnace guidance, efficiency rating explainers, refrigerant types, and practical HVAC reference topics.
Resources in this section
- Central Air vs Ductless Mini-Split: Which Is Best→
Head-to-head comparison of central ducted air conditioning and ductless mini-split heat pumps covering installed cost, efficiency, duct losses, zoning, noise, and the best-fit scenario for each — with a worked cost example.
- Heat Pump vs Gas Furnace: Which Is Best→
Head-to-head comparison of electric heat pumps and gas furnaces covering installed cost, running cost, efficiency (COP vs AFUE), cold-climate performance, balance point, backup heat, and dual-fuel hybrid systems.
- SEER vs SEER2 Ratings Explained→
Explains the difference between the old SEER rating and the current SEER2 (plus EER2 and HSPF2) ratings — the 2023 DOE test procedure change behind it, why SEER2 numbers run lower for the same equipment, and how regional minimum efficiency standards apply.
- MERV Rating Guide for HVAC Air Filters→
Explains the MERV filter rating scale (ASHRAE Standard 52.2) from MERV 1 to 16, what particle sizes each range actually captures, the airflow/static-pressure trade-off of upgrading to a higher MERV filter, and how MERV compares to true HEPA filtration.
- HVAC Refrigerant Types: R-410A vs R-32 vs R-454B→
Explains the refrigerant transition reshaping residential HVAC — why R-410A is being phased down under the EPA's AIM Act, how R-32 and R-454B compare on GWP and flammability, what it means for existing systems, and what to know before servicing new A2L equipment.
- AC & Furnace Repair vs Replace: How to Decide→
A decision framework for repairing versus replacing an aging air conditioner, heat pump, or furnace — the $5,000 rule, age and repair-frequency thresholds, safety-critical failures, and refrigerant-availability factors, with worked examples.