The northern U.S. has a lot to offer, including a relatively moderate climate. The summers are warm, the winters are cold, and the spring and fall are somewhere in between. Of course, this climate has quite an impact on the HVAC equipment that's used in homes. So, if you are new to the area, it will be helpful to know the following information about HVAC in this region.

Air conditioning is pretty common.

In the northern U.S., you can survive without air conditioning, and there are definitely some homes that only have window air conditioners or fans. However, central air is very common in the northern U.S., and it is common for homeowners to have central air added to older homes that were built without it. Standard, central air conditioners are the norm; they remove moisture from the air as they cool. This is important since summers tend to be humid in the north.

Some homes still have boilers.

Furnaces are common in the northern U.S. However, many homes in the northern U.S. are older, and they were built with boilers, not forced air heat. Many of these homes still have boilers as installing the ductwork needed for a furnace would be tough (The wall spaces tend to be narrow and can't always accommodate ducts). Most, though not all, HVAC companies in the north are used to maintaining, repairing, and installing boilers. So, if you move into a home with a boiler, you should not have trouble finding someone to service it.

Geothermal heating and cooling are becoming more common.

Geothermal systems consist of a series of pipes that go deep underground. The temperature below ground remains stable year-round. So, in the summer, the water circulating through the home is cooled, and that coolness is transferred into the home. In the winter, the water circulating through the home is heated, and that heat is passed into the home. 

Geothermal HVAC systems allow the same equipment to both heat and cool a home. This works well in northern climates where the summers are hot and the winters are cool.

Not all HVAC companies in the north offer geothermal services, but it's not hard to find one that does.

The helpful information here should serve you well if you move to the northern U.S. To learn more, reach out to an HVAC company in the area. They can tell you about the region's norms.

For more information, contact a company such as Environmental Air Systems Inc.