If you are in the market for a new heating and air system, you can certainly opt for the lowest price; but you will probably end up spending a lot more in the long run due to increased energy bills.
Today's ratings systems make it simpler than ever for you to compare levels of energy efficiency between different brands and models of furnaces and air conditioners.
To help you make an educated decision, here is a short overview of some of the lingo every smart HVAC shopper should be familiar with.
SEER Rating SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, and is used exclusively to rate air conditioning systems.
The rating is obtained by taking the amount of cooling units (measure in BTUS) during a cooling system and dividing it by its energy-usage (measured in watts) over the same time period.
The SEER rating for an appliance is shown as a number between 13 and 20+ prominently displayed right on the unit, allowing consumers to make quick comparisons easily.
The higher the number, the more energy-efficient the unit.
AFUE Rating AFUE stands for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, and indicates the efficiency level of a furnace.
Unlike SEER, this rating is indicated by a percentage rather than a number.
The minimum percentage of efficiency for most appliances is 78 percent, while the higher end models can boast as high as 96 percent or more.
The number simply indicates the percentage of fuel that goes into a furnace that actually produces heat.
Again, the higher the number, the better! Energy Star Rating A system that carries an Energy Star rating meets the minimum government standard for high energy-efficiency.
If efficiency is high on your priority list, then you should definitely opt for heating and air appliances that meet or exceed this standard.
Ratings are important, but so is getting the right size system to meet your home's individual needs: your favorite heating and air professional is the one to help you with that aspect of your purchase.
Now that you know the lingo, you can be a more educated participant in the buying process.
Today's ratings systems make it simpler than ever for you to compare levels of energy efficiency between different brands and models of furnaces and air conditioners.
To help you make an educated decision, here is a short overview of some of the lingo every smart HVAC shopper should be familiar with.
SEER Rating SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, and is used exclusively to rate air conditioning systems.
The rating is obtained by taking the amount of cooling units (measure in BTUS) during a cooling system and dividing it by its energy-usage (measured in watts) over the same time period.
The SEER rating for an appliance is shown as a number between 13 and 20+ prominently displayed right on the unit, allowing consumers to make quick comparisons easily.
The higher the number, the more energy-efficient the unit.
AFUE Rating AFUE stands for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, and indicates the efficiency level of a furnace.
Unlike SEER, this rating is indicated by a percentage rather than a number.
The minimum percentage of efficiency for most appliances is 78 percent, while the higher end models can boast as high as 96 percent or more.
The number simply indicates the percentage of fuel that goes into a furnace that actually produces heat.
Again, the higher the number, the better! Energy Star Rating A system that carries an Energy Star rating meets the minimum government standard for high energy-efficiency.
If efficiency is high on your priority list, then you should definitely opt for heating and air appliances that meet or exceed this standard.
Ratings are important, but so is getting the right size system to meet your home's individual needs: your favorite heating and air professional is the one to help you with that aspect of your purchase.
Now that you know the lingo, you can be a more educated participant in the buying process.
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