The cost to heat and cool your home totals more than half of your utility bills. That’s why it’s crucial to look for a system that delivers quality comfort in your Rock Hill home while still being 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 existing equipment to be more energy efficient, there are some ratings to be aware of that will help you during the search. 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 reflects the efficiency of your unit at different temperatures, meaning, seasonally in Rock Hill. A greater SEER rating denotes a greater energy efficiency, which will convert into less expensive utility bills. The Department of Energy expects a minimum 13 SEER-rating for cooler states in the north and a 14 SEER-rating minimum for hotter, southern states. If your home has an aged unit with a lower SEER-rating, you could see radical energy savings after an improvement.
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 generated for every dollar of fuel used. You can think of 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 means that 80% of the heat created is exhausted to heat the home, while 20% of the heat is lost through venting.
HSPF stands for the Heating Seasonal Performance Factor and is used to determine the heating productivity of heat pumps. It is the SEER rating for winter as it only keeps track of your unit’s heating effectiveness. Like the others, the larger the number, the extra energy efficient the heat pump.
US Air Heating and Cooling in Rock Hill presents equipment with the best energy efficiency ratings. If you are hesitant what the energy ratings are of the system in your home we would be happy to help you become better informed to keep your home comfy, while saving money. Give us a call at 803-220-0761 to set up an appointment with us.