When considering the pros and cons of forced air heating, it’s important to understand how those pros and cons change when comparing different sources of heat. With a small duct system from Unico, you get many of the same advantages of a gas furnace forced air system with none of the cons.

Heating configurations with The Unico System:

Heat Pump: The Unico System standard refrigerant coil can provide both central heating and cooling when paired with either an outdoor air-source or ground-source (geothermal) heat pump. This method has a distinct advantage over conventional central air system’s heat pump coils in that the air it puts out actually feels warm, delivering higher inside temperatures when outside temperatures fall.

Hot Water Coil: Hydronic heating with a Unico System hot water coil matched with a boiler (or, less commonly, a high efficiency hot water heater) is an excellent method of efficient, comfortable central heating. This method can be used as primary heating or as a supplement to radiators (either free-standing or baseboard-mounted) and is an exceptional partner to in-floor radiant systems. Because The Unico System provides instant heat it is a perfect companion to these types of systems in the “shoulder” months – those times when just enough heat is needed to take the chill out of the air and firing up a radiant system would take too long and expend too much energy.

Electric Duct Heater: An electric furnace that can be placed directly within the plenum (main duct configuration), the Unico electric duct heater provides immediate heat and is available in sizes ranging from 2 to 20 kW. Unico electric duct heaters can be used for primary or auxiliary heat. No matter which method you or your installing contractor choose you’ll be sure to get the very best in efficient, comfortable small-duct central heating.

Pros of forced air heating

Heats the whole home. Radiant heat, such as radiators or baseboard heating, warms the space near the source, but they do little to circulate the air. Radiators can make you feel warm and comfortable if you’re near the unit in the room, but leave you shivering if you’re not close enough. Ductless systems, also known as mini split systems, need to be installed in every room because they don’t have a network of ducts connecting the rooms. High velocity heating moves warmed air throughout the entire home, delivering comfort in every room.

Unobtrusive. Ducting for Unico is built into the walls or ceilings. Radiators on the other hand take up floor space or require a wall to be unobstructed. Unico systems take up even less space with 2” to 2.5” round ductwork. Unico is the preferred choice for many historic and custom homes because it fits anywhere and requires no major renovations during installation. Small duct systems also have a central unit small enough to be put in attics or crawl spaces.

Disadvantages of forced air heating

All heating systems are not created equal. Traditional, wide duct systems that heat using a gas furnace can have major drawbacks.

Dry air. Gas furnaces have a flame that dries the air in your home. This leads to uncomfortable dry skin and a dry nose, which makes you more susceptible to viruses and other contagions. Using a heating system that uses electric heat instead of burning gas can help maintain moisture in the air when in operation.

Inefficient. The wide metal ducts traditionally used by gas heating systems leak air and lose heat, no matter how they’re installed. Metal ducts lose air at the seams and are not 100% airtight. Metal ducts also cause friction, reducing air flow, as opposed to The Unico System with its nylon interior designed for efficient air flow.

Pros of The Unico System

The Unico System delivers the pros of forced air heating without the cons. Whether you’re looking at adding forced air heating to your home or a replacement for your existing forced air heating system, here’s why you should consider The Unico System.

No more dry air. With a small duct heating system from Unico, you can say goodbye to dry skin and air that comes with traditional heating systems. The Unico System is a closed system that warms air from within your home without drying it out, keeping your home comfortable and healthy.

Whisper-quiet. Traditional wide ducting isn’t insulated and acts like mini echo chambers throughout your home. Unico System customers often forget their system is running because it’s whisper quiet. Engineered with special sound-absorbing air supply tubing means there’s no creaking or vibrating when the system turns on.

Fits your home. With its small air register and mini ducts, The Unico System fits in every house without requiring major renovation—even historic homes. Unico’s air supply tubing is flexible and can be inserted into existing tight spaces without tearing up walls and ceilings. This makes small ducts the best choice for historic or older homes where you want to maintain the home’s character and don’t want to add bulky systems.

Efficient comfort. Compared to gas furnaces, a small duct system delivers warmer air with less heat loss through the vents. That means you can set your thermostat and get reliable comfort no matter the time of day or outdoor temperature. The Unico System’s SMART Control Board manages fan speed and allows for zoning if some rooms tend to be warmer or cooler, further improving energy efficiency.

The post Pros and Cons of Forced Air Heating appeared first on The Unico System.

Keep reading to discover three benefits The Unico System offers homes by lowering the humidity level.

1. Expect Better Comfort with The Unico System

Have you ever been inside your house and felt overheated even when the AC is on full blast? This is most often caused by high humidity. While traditional HVAC systems focus on setting the right temperature, The Unico System also pays attention to humidity levels. The air handler in the system takes advantage of lower airflow and has larger cooling coils. This means that the air spends more time on the cooling coils, allowing moisture to be removed more efficiently and creating a more comfortable level by reducing temperature and humidity.

With a traditional AC system, cool air is dumped into a room until it hits the temperature set on the thermostat. Once it hits that level, the system shuts off and the humidity level slowly increases and makes the living space uncomfortable. The Unico System is equipped with relative humidity control to help prevent this situation from happening, so homeowners can expect better comfort.

2. Improved Indoor Air Quality

Partly fueled by the growth in remote work positions, people are paying more attention to the indoor air quality inside their homes. While traditional AC systems circulate air, they often struggle with larger particles, like dust, pet dander and more. Plus, high indoor humidity also makes it more likely for harmful bacteria to grow. In fact, the EPA states that indoor air quality can be two to five times worse than outdoor air.

The good news is that The Unico System addresses both issues. Results from testing conducted by the Florida Solar Energy Center found that an SDHV system offers 31% lower relative humidity inside the home. To help catch smaller particles in the air, The Unico System uses MERV 7 filters, which can even capture mold spores. For hot and humid climates, Unico has one of the best systems to help keep the inside of homes comfortable and filled with clean air.

3. Lower Home Humidity While Preserving Architectural Features

Many older homes are often caught between a rock and hard place when it comes to humidity. Without any form of AC, wood doors, floors and window frames can swell during the summer, causing damage to the home. On the other hand, putting in traditional AC ducts often requires tearing down and replacing walls, woodwork and other beloved features. With The Unico System, homeowners don’t need to choose between comfort and preserving their home’s unique charm.

The small and flexible ducts can easily be installed without tearing up walls and floors. You can preserve the aesthetic by feeding ducts through tight spaces that wouldn’t be possible for traditional AC systems. For even more added value, you can choose air outlet covers to match the finish of almost any floor, ceiling or wall. Instead of reconfiguring your home to match the needs of an HVAC system, Unico adapts to provide reliable comfort without major renovations.

Our Design Services Team Makes Home Humidity Reduction Easier

Whether you’re building a custom home or doing work on an older one, Unico is here to help do some of the heavy lifting. Our free design services team is ready to lend a hand with putting together a Unico System design and estimated materials list. All you need to do is submit your project plans, and our team will be in touch with next steps.

The post Three Benefits of The Unico System Lowering Humidity in Homes appeared first on The Unico System.

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.

The post HVAC Fit for Your Custom Home Design appeared first on The Unico System.

Help set your project up for success by learning these 3 things buyers want from their custom home HVAC systems.

Indoor Comfort is a Top Priority

When a buyer invests in a custom home, they want the interior to be well-designed and comfortable. They’re trusting contractors like you to bring their vision to life, which includes installing an HVAC system that meets their needs. To ensure that the home you’re building has even and consistent indoor temperature, consider a small duct/high-velocity (SDHV) solution like The Unico System.

For starters, the innovative duct system makes it easy to install and can fit within almost any home design. Small, flexible ducts installed throughout the home create a comfortable and even temperature environment that’s draft-free. The Unico System manages airflow and motor speed according to the needs of each individual room. The SDHV system also dehumidifies better than any other system, while being small enough to be installed wherever you need it.

Traditional HVAC systems dump air into a room, which causes drafts and pockets of uneven temperatures, leading to homeowners being uncomfortable. Through an air principle called aspiration, The Unico System creates a gentle mixed motion of air around each duct to create an even temperature. It’s one of the custom home HVAC features that keeps the temperature differential two degrees or less from what’s set on the thermostat compared to the roughly 10-degree swings common with traditional systems.

Ability to Blend In

Buyers of custom homes want an HVAC system that does its job in the background and goes unnoticed. With many traditional systems, the bulky ducts can be an eyesore that interferes with the aesthetics of a room and are also noisy, reminding you of its presence every time the system kicks on. Fortunately, The Unico System solves both issues with its unique design.

Thanks to the inner nylon core used in the tubing to absorb sound, the high-velocity Unico System turns on and blows air virtually silently. In fact, many custom homeowners describe it as “whisper quiet.” Your buyer will be able to feel comfortable, even temperatures without hearing the system running.

In terms of aesthetics, The Unico System makes it easy for ducts to fit in with interior design. There are a wide variety of outlet choices that will blend in with a custom home’s floors, walls, and ceilings while providing even heating, cooling, and ventilation throughout each room.

Energy Efficiency

Buyers of custom homes want energy-efficient HVAC systems since they’re more likely to save on monthly utility costs. But what they may not realize is having the right ductwork makes a huge difference. Many traditional HVAC systems leak air in the seams along the vent and inside the ductwork. Plus, traditional ducts are uninsulated, resulting in thermal loss before air even reaches the vents. This causes the custom home to be less energy-efficient despite the energy-efficiency of the HVAC system itself.

The SDHV Unico System was specifically designed for simplicity and keeping air inside the ducts to prevent leakage. According to third-party testing, traditional HVAC systems can lose up to 25% of the air they put out because of leaks in the ductwork. The Unico System loses, on average, just 5%.

Impress Custom Home Buyers with The Unico System

The Unico System has everything buyers are looking for in a custom home HVAC system. But our support for your projects doesn’t stop with an SDHV product. Our Design Services team is a free resource that will help you find the best application for our system. Give buyers of custom homes the comfort and efficiency they’re looking for with The Unico System.

The post Three Things Buyers Want from Their Custom Home HVAC appeared first on The Unico System.

The Problems with Conventional Systems

Winter brings dry air, which can be tough on your skin. Plus, it dries out your nose, which makes you susceptible to viruses and other contagions. A gas furnace makes these conditions worse because the flame used to heat the air eliminates the moisture. Unico uses electric heat, which doesn’t consume oxygen or remove moisture from the air.

Traditional, metal ducts leak air through gaps at the seams, causing heat and air loss, which is a major waste of energy. Homes with traditional ductwork lose up to 60% of their heated air before it reaches the register.

The Unico mini duct system are designed to prevent thermal loss. The tubes are built with a nylon core, which is then wrapped with insulation, and finally wrapped with an outer vapor barrier to stop moisture from entering or exiting the air stream. Also, The Unico System uses a lock-and-release connector that clicks into place, giving Unico an airtight fit.

Why Unico is Better Than Conventional Ducting

Ever hear the heating or air kick on? When the furnace or AC unit blasts air through a home with traditional ducts, it causes vibration, which generates noise and echoes through the metal ducting. Owners of The Unico System don’t even hear it running, thanks to the sound attenuators, which prevent vibration, and the nylon insulated core that absorbs noise.

Nobody wants their HVAC system taking up living space. If you’re renovating an older house, wouldn’t you want ducting that you can hide away inside existing walls and ceilings? Adding a traditional system during a home renovation often requires adding soffits or dropped ceilings to hide the ducting. But mini ducts are made of flexible tubing, which can be threaded through the ceiling and maintain the home’s interior design.

New custom home builders also prefer Unico for its compact design. Builders of custom homes design beautiful interiors to satisfy homeowners’ personal styles. A mini duct system is perfectly designed to feature the architecture and not the HVAC.

The Best HVAC System Available

You want home heating and air conditioning that creates a comfortable environment that’s energy efficient, quiet and unobtrusive. That’s not too much to ask, and Unico delivers!

What to learn more about whether the Unico System is right for you? Find a local contractor to learn more

.

The post Advantages of a Mini Duct Systems appeared first on The Unico System.