The cost to heat and cool your home adds up to more than half of your utility bills. That’s why it’s imperative to search for a system that delivers quality comfort in your Newton home while still ensuring energy efficient. Higher energy efficiency means your system is operating well while using less energy. Whether you are considering a replacement air conditioner or furnace or considering to upgrade your present 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 represent?
SEER (used to measure cooling efficiency)
SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. The SEER rating considers the effectiveness of your unit at different temperatures, meaning, seasonally in Newton. A higher SEER rating indicates a greater energy efficiency, which will translate into lower utility bills. The Department of Energy expects a minimum 13 SEER-rating for colder states in the north and a 14 SEER-rating minimum for humid, 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 keeps track of the percentage of heat produced for every dollar of fuel used. You can consider it as the MPG on your car. The higher the AFUE-rating, the less your energy costs. If your furnace has a AFUE rating of 80, that means that 80% of the heat created is used to heat the home, while 20% of the heat is lost through venting.
HSPF stands for the Heating Seasonal Performance Factor and operates to determine the heating productivity of heat pumps. It is the SEER rating for winter as it only determines your unit’s heating productivity. Similarly, the greater the number, the more energy efficient the heat pump.
Brookwood Inc in Newton presents equipment with the highest energy efficiency ratings. If you are hesitant what the energy ratings are of the system in your home we would be more than willing to help you better comprehend to keep your home comfortable, while saving money. Give us a call at 641-316-9803 to set up an appointment with us.