Whether it’s a new custom home or renovating an older residence, there’s a lot of planning when it comes to installing an HVAC system. You need to perform an HVAC load calculation, figure out how many ducts are needed, and plan where to place them. Plus, finding an expert to perform HVAC load calculations is becoming harder to come by.
The good news is that the right HVAC partner can make your next project easier. If you’re planning on using the Unico System in an upcoming build, support isn’t far away. Keep reading to discover why you should use Unico’s Design Services.
Unico’s HVAC Design Services are Free
Unico has free design services to help make the HVAC portion of your projects easier. Here’s how it works. First, you’ll need to submit the design and layout of your project. A PDF file is preferred, and you’ll want to get specific about the type of insulation used in the building, what kind of windows you’re working with, and an elevation view. The more detail you can provide, the more accurate Unico’s recommendation will be for the type of HVAC system that’s needed.
It’s also important to mention that Unico Design Services for HVAC systems are completely free, and it includes:
A Manual J HVAC load calculation to determine the right small-duct high-velocity HVAC system needed for your project.
A full HVAC system layout that includes an estimated material list to make the planning and installation of the project easier.
A drawing of supply and return duct locations overlayed on your project’s design plan.
Unico’s Design Services for HVAC Systems is Powered by Wrightsoft
As a builder or contractor, it’s important to know that Unico Design Services use Wrightsoft (an industry leading HVAC design software) to help make your HVAC plan more accurate. Not only is Wrightsoft known throughout the HVAC industry for its reliability, but the software is a Manual J (calculation to help determine the correct size for an HVAC unit being added to a building). In many states across the country, Manual J is required to obtain certain building permits.
The Wrightsoft data also is used to construct a visual to show you how a Unico small-duct high-velocity HVAC system would look in your building project. While it’s nice to see the recommended locations for ducts in this visual, The Unico System has an added benefit: due to the system’s flexibility, you can install the ducts virtually anywhere in the room or zone. This eliminates the tedious process of changing other building elements to accommodate ducts.
You’ll Be in Contact with Our Small-Duct High-Velocity HVAC System Experts
When you submit plans to Unico Design Services, our team will be there to support you. If there are questions about your project, an expert will reach out to help create the best load calculation possible. Since we know how fast building projects can move, it’s our goal to deliver design plans within 10 business days of your submission.
To help personalize the design plan for your project, our team gathers data about the building and local codes to help the calculations be exceptionally accurate. At Unico, we’re dedicated to making projects easier.
Try Unico’s HVAC Design Services for Your Next Project
If you want to make HVAC planning and installation easier for your next project, try Unico Design Services. This complementary service is just another way Unico supports those who want to find the best HVAC solution.
Did you know that according to Cornell University, an average of 10,000 severe thunderstorms occurs in the US each year? And that doesn’t even include hurricanes that develop throughout the year. Why are we bringing this up? It’s because HVAC protection against storms is often overlooked, even though taking some small precautions can save you from big headaches later.
Join the experts at Unico as we share four tips for protecting your HVAC system from storm damage.
1. Keep Your HVAC Unit Secured
Strong winds and even flash floods have the potential to remove an outdoor HVAC unit from its mounting plate or base. If a severe storm is forecasted for your area, go out and make sure the mounts on the unit are undamaged and properly tightened. For added protection against storms, you can use tie-down straps to create a stronger anchor.
If your HVAC unit has moved, carefully move it back into place and inspect your supply lines for kinks, leaks or any other damage that may have occurred.
High-speed winds will often pick up debris and throw it against your HVAC unit. The dirt, dust and debris can even penetrate the exterior of the system and damage the coils, fan and electronics inside. To help prevent this, wrap your HVAC unit with a weatherproof tarp. The key is ensuring that all sides are covered, and the tarp is secured with the right amount of tension.
In areas where you may be expecting winter storms, it’s wise to secure a tarp around your unit to keep ice, snow and critters from damaging your system.
2. Elevate Your HVAC Unit
Severe storms like hurricanes often open the possibility of flooding. To guard against this, you’ll first want to determine what the flood line is in your local area. Then, plan on installing your HVAC unit so that it sits above that line. By raising up the entire system, you’ll help prevent water damage in the event of flooding.
It’s also important to note that you should reach out to a professional before moving an HVAC unit on your own. Even though lifting it a few inches seems easy, you run the risk of core components like the refrigerant lines being damaged.
3. Turn Off Your HVAC Unit
It’s common during severe storms for nearby power transformers to short-circuit from lighting strikes or high-speed winds. Electrical surges have the potential to damage the internal electronics of an HVAC unit. When there’s a storm expected in your area, turn off your HVAC system. In the event of a power outage, it’s a good rule of thumb to wait until the other appliances in your home have regained power before turning the HVAC unit back on.
If you’re interested in more security against power surges, you can ask an electrician to install a surge protector on your home’s main circuit breaker box. This will help ensure that any power surges that happen are weaker, lowering the risk of damage caused to the HVAC unit.
4. Clear Your Yard Ahead of a Storm
When a severe storm is going to hit your local area, you want the yard to be empty. Every branch, stick, toy and piece of furniture has the potential to be turned into a projectile. In severe winds, all these items can be thrown into your HVAC unit and home, causing damage. Before a storm hits, go out into your yard and clear out anything on the ground.
If larger items like furniture are difficult to move, you can secure them on the ground or a nearby tree instead.
Let Us Help Your HVAC Unit Run Smoothly
Whether it’s protecting an HVAC unit from a storm or finding the optimal comfort level for your home, the design services team at Unico is here to help. If you have an upcoming home project that needs design assistance, Unico is ready to share its expertise. Let us do the hard part when it comes to the HVAC system design layout. Get in touch with Unico’s Design Services today!
Are you adding air conditioning to your home and wondering how to choose an the right HVAC system? Have you heard about high velocity mini ducts or mini split air conditioning but aren’t sure which one is better? It might depend on your house and what you’re looking for in an air conditioning system.
Here, we’ll break down the pros and cons of Unico’s mini duct system, mini split or ductless air conditioners, and traditional HVAC. To find out how to choose the best HVAC for your home, answer these questions. Be sure to scroll to the bottom to find our easy checklist.
Want draft-free rooms?
While AC is essential for a comfortable home in the summer, no one likes feeling cold air blow on their shoulders.
Where you place the air outlets can make a big difference for a comfortable home. With Unico and traditional AC, you can place the outlets where they won’t be blowing directly onto the homeowners. Mini split air conditioning, on the other hand, requires a unit placed on the wall that takes up a lot of space. So it’s not likely that you’ll be able to place them in unnoticeable spots, and you will feel the draft when you sit near a mini split air conditioner.
You should also take into consideration how the air is circulated in a room. Traditional systems have a “dump and throw” airflow direction, where air gets blown into a room through one vent and air will flow into another. If the outlets aren’t placed for optimum airflow, this can create an uneven buildup of conditioned or heated air throughout the room.
Mini split systems blow air out from the wall-mounted unit, but the air is not circulated, resulting in much colder air near the unit than further away from it.
See how Unico circulates air compared to other air conditioning systems:
Unico’s high velocity air, which is released through small round outlets, creates a vacuum that draws in air and circulates it. This mixes the air, so homeowners get even temperatures from top to bottom and side to side throughout the room.
Want energy efficient airflow?
Modern homes are generally more energy efficient thanks to improvements in window types, vapor barrier protection, and calculating optimal airflow and duct placement. But if you have an older home, the Unico System can still provide efficiency with airtight duct design. Unico’s mini ducts have lock-and-release tabs that ensure an airtight fit, so 100% of the conditioned air is utilized. Traditional metal ducts lack that airtight fit and lose air at the seams no matter how well they’re installed.
The Unico System with its nylon interior is designed for efficient airflow. The mini ducts are wrapped in an insulating vapor barrier that protects against thermal loss. On the other hand, traditional metal ductwork has no thermal protection. Metal is a good conductor of heat, so it’s more difficult to control the temperature through the system. Unico uses 100% of the conditioned air for your living space, but metal ducts lose heat energy into the walls and elsewhere.
Mini split systems don’t have central airflow, and the indoor air must be conditioned by a separate unit in every room.
Have limited space for ductwork?
Traditional air conditioning is the type with large, metal ducts. If your house doesn’t already have ductwork, your installer will need to work with you on where to run the ducts and whether you’ll need to add dropped ceilings or soffits to hide them. If you own an older home, this could ruin the aesthetics of the home’s interior.
Mini split and Unico systems can be installed in a home where there is no ductwork. However, with mini split units, the installer will need to cut a large hole in the wall to install it. Unico uses small, flexible mini ducts that can be threaded through existing walls without major renovations.
Want the unit out of sight?
Mini split is the wrong way to go if you want to preserve the aesthetic design of the home. These large, bulky units need to be placed high on the wall in each room.
Traditional HVAC doesn’t need to be placed in a room like mini split units but depending on where the ductwork needs to be run it may still be visible.
Unico air handlers are much more compact than the units of other systems. They can fit into attics, crawl spaces or even a closet. Then the mini ducts are threaded through the existing walls, hidden out of sight. Ask about our painted, vertical unit specifically designed to take up as little closet space as possible.
Live in a humid region?
A Unico condenser has thicker cooling coils than those found in a traditional system, and the increased surface area allows more condensation to collect on the coils, pulling more humidity from the air. In a controlled study by the Florida Solar Energy Center, Unico was found to remove 30% more moisture from the air than traditional AC.
Unico is designed with humidity control in mind while other systems are not. The refrigerant in a Unico cooling coil is colder than in a mini split system. So, Unico collects more condensation, pulling humidity out of the air.
Already have an outdoor unit? Compatibility is key!
If you have an outdoor air conditioning unit for central AC, you’ll want to capitalize on its capabilities for better indoor comfort. Traditional central air conditioning systems are usually compatible with most brands, as is Unico. Also, Unico has partnered with ECOER, which uses modern inverter technology and uses less energy than a traditional system.
Mini split systems are split off from the rest of any central air system that may be in place, so you wouldn’t make use of an outdoor unit that you may have. Also, homeowners with mini split air conditioners need to maintain multiple units throughout the house, which can quickly drive up maintenance and repair costs.
Already have ductwork?
If your home already has traditional central air with ductwork and you’re just looking for a replacement unit, you’ll probably want to stick with traditional AC to make use of the existing infrastructure. However, if you’re renovating and replacing the ductwork, rather than replacing an outdated technology, you can choose Unico mini ducts to help you reclaim some space. And if you already have ductwork, cutting large holes in the walls for mini split units doesn’t make sense.
Want your investment to last a long time?
With correct installation and regular maintenance, many Unico systems last 20 years or more. When you install a Unico system, you will have peace of mind that it is a good investment. Traditional central air conditioning systems have a similar lifespan of 15-20 years. Mini splits tend to last only 5-10 years, so while the initial cost might be a bit cheaper, you’ll end up replacing the unit much more often.
Find a Contractor in your area to schedule a free quote and ask how The Unico System can be installed with minimal adjustments to your home’s interior. Many of our trained and certified UPCs have experience retrofitting older homes.
Or, contact our free Design Services team to find out how to receive a duct design and layout to match your home.
How do you add air conditioning to a home without big, rectangular ducts running through your house? If you’re retrofitting an older home, you’re probably already considering how it will affect your home’s interior design. Unico System supply outlets are designed to be unobtrusive, matching the surrounding finish and maintaining the character of your home, and the system fits in hidden spaces.
What Homeowners Like About Unico
One of the things homeowners like most about Unico is how unobtrusive the system is. If you’re retrofitting a home with air conditioning, adding conventional ducting often requires installing dropped ceilings to hide the ductwork. Unico’s air supply outlets are only 2-2 ½ inches in diameter, and ductwork can be hidden inside the walls.
Customized to Your Space
Nobody wants to look at their air vents. Instead, why not customize them to match your room? Unico System supply outlets come in a variety of colors and finishes, so if you want to preserve unique woodwork or wood floors, Unico has a color to match. They can also be painted to match your existing walls and ceilings!
Your local Unico Preferred Contractor (UPC) will know where to install Unico System supply outlets for optimal air flow. If you’re retrofitting an older home, they’ll work with the existing architecture and can thread ducts through the walls and crawl spaces. Don’t forget to share any plans you have for adding a feature with specific placement, such as built-in furniture, to help ensure outlets aren’t obscured.
Experienced Installation Professionals
Find a Contractor in your area to schedule a free quote and ask how The Unico System can be installed with minimal adjustments to your home’s interior. Many of our trained and certified UPCs have experience retrofitting older homes.
Or, contact our free Design Services team to find out how to receive a duct design and layout to match your home.
When you are building your dream home you want to be able to push the boundaries showcasing your style while making sure your space is a comfortable oasis you look forward to coming home to. Image even temperatures from room to room with no greater than two degrees difference providing excellent comfort. That’s what The Unico System provides. The high-efficiency cooling and heating system can also be discreetly designed into a custom home without intrusive duct work getting in the way of your space.
Custom Fit for your Design
Custom home builders like how well Unico fits into tight spaces. The system’s sleek mini ducts are small enough to fit inside the walls in your existing floorplan without having to leave extra space for traditional bulky ductwork. Your new home will have the seamless look of a modern interior. What’s more, the air vents are only 2 to 2.5-inches in diameter and come in various colors and wood finishes allowing you to customize them to your design and style.
HVAC That’s Whisper Quiet
One thing that makes the Unico System so unique is the fact that it has a nylon core that is insulated which means it’s naturally sound absorbent. With traditional ducts, their metal composition essentially makes them echo chambers amplifying the noise of the system when air is carried through. Mini split and ductless systems are also noisy, with units mounted on the wall in every room and always operating nearby.
Another feature custom home builders appreciate is that Unico’s modular, compact air handler can be discretely tucked away in the attic or a closet. The ducts are made of insulated nylon which absorb sound, and sound attenuators can be added throughout the system to dampen any vibration, so the system is whisper quiet.
Comfort with Reduced Humidity
High humidity can negatively affect your home, but low humidity is good for contributes to your comfort to improves air quality.
The air conditioning mode of Unico’s SDHV system is designed to remove more humidity than other HVAC systems. It operates with relatively lower airflow and has a four-row cooling coil instead of a typical three-row coil, circulating air sits on the cooling coil longer, removing up to 30% more humidity. The lack of humidity and water provides a comfortable living environment.
Building a custom home? Find out more about what makes Unico perfect for the job. Contact our free Design Services team and receive a duct design and layout to match your home.
