The cost to heat and cool your home adds up to more than half of your utility bills. That’s why it’s crucial to look for a system that delivers superior comfort in your West Jefferson home while still remaining energy efficient. Greater energy efficiency means your system is operating well while using less energy. Whether you are looking into a replacement air conditioner or furnace or considering to upgrade your existing equipment to be more energy efficient, there are some ratings to look out for that will help you during the procedure. So what exactly do those energy efficiency ratings indicate?
SEER (used to measure cooling efficiency)
SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. The SEER rating reflects the efficiency of your unit at different temperatures, in other words, seasonally in West Jefferson. A larger SEER rating indicates a larger energy efficiency, which will translate into lower utility bills. The Department of Energy requires a minimum 13 SEER-rating for chillier states in the north and a 14 SEER-rating minimum for warmer, southern states. If your home has an aged unit with a lower SEER-rating, you could see extreme energy savings after an modern system.
AFUE or HSPF (used to measure heating efficiency: gas or electric)
AFUE stands for Annualized Fuel Utilization Efficiency ratio and it measures the percentage of heat produced for every dollar of fuel expended. You can look at it as the MPG on your car. The greater the AFUE-rating, the smaller your energy costs. If your furnace has a AFUE rating of 80, that signifies that 80% of the heat produced is exhausted to heat the home, while 20% of the heat is wasted through venting.
HSPF stands for the Heating Seasonal Performance Factor and operates to keep track of the heating productivity of heat pumps. It is the SEER rating for winter as it only measures your unit’s heating efficiency. Like the others, the higher the number, the extra energy efficient the heat pump.
West Jefferson Plumbing and Heating, Inc. in West Jefferson presents equipment with the highest energy efficiency ratings. If you are uncertain what the energy ratings are of the system in your home we would be glad to help you better comprehend to keep your home comfy, while saving money. Give us a call at 614-879-9091 to schedule an appointment with us.