More than half of your utility bills in Manassas consist of cost to heat and cool your home. To save as much money as you can, you need a system that can provide home comfort as efficiently as possible. The better your system’s energy efficiency, the more your system is doing while using less energy. If you’re looking to upgrade or replace your HVAC equipment, you should understand certain terms and ratings to be fully informed and get the best energy efficiency possible.
SEER (used to measure cooling efficiency)
The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, or SEER, rating calculates the cooling efficiency of your equipment at varying temperatures. Higher SEER ratings signify better energy efficiency, and therefore, lower utility bills. For chillier northern states, The Department of Energy requires a minimum 13 SEER rating. Warmer, southern states must have a 14 SEER-rating minimum. If your unit has a lower SEER-rating, an upgrade could bring you a valuable spike in energy savings.
AFUE or HSPF (used to measure heating efficiency: gas or electric)
Annualized Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) ratio measures the percentage of heat produced for every dollar of fuel expended—just like the miles per gallon you get from your car. Higher AFUE ratings translate into lower energy costs. So, an AFUE rating of 80 means that 80% of the heat generated by your furnace is heating your home, and 20% of the heat is escaping through venting.
The Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) measures the heating efficiency of heat pumps. It is essentially the SEER rating for winter because it measures only heating efficiency. Like the other ratings, higher numbers denote better energy efficiency.
At Air-Right Energy Design, Inc., you’ll find equipment with the highest energy efficiency ratings. We can help you verify the energy efficiency of your existing equipment and help you find ways to improve on it and save money—whether with diligent maintenance or with up-to-date, more efficient equipment. Just call us at 703-260-1148 to schedule an appointment with us.