If you’ve ever shopped around for an HVAC system, there’s chance you’ve come across the different ratings that will give you an idea of how efficient a system is. These units and measures are a good way to compare performance and efficiency between products but they can be a little confusing to understand if you don’t know what they mean.
Let’s discuss the different efficiency ratings for HVAC units and everything a purchaser needs to know about them.
Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio
This ratio measures an HVAC system’s ability to provide heating or cooling over an entire season. An important note to know is that a higher SEER means a more efficient system. If you’re looking to upgrade your current system, look for one with a higher SEER than what you already have.
Energy Efficiency Ratio
The Energy Efficiency Ratio or EER is another commonly used rating to measure HVAC efficiency. Unlike the SEER, the EER does not measure heating and cooling capacities over a season. The EER is a more specific rating, giving you an idea about efficiency over a much shorter time period, typically in hours.
Like the SEER, however, a higher EER rating also means better efficiency.
Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency
The AFUE is a measure of the efficiency of HVAC systems that use gas or fuel to function. This is often used when describing furnaces and other heating devices. When converting fuel into heat, there’s always a percentage of heat lost to the environment, because there’s no such thing as a 100% efficient machine just yet. This means that a higher AFUE rating means that lower heat loss, and bigger savings on your utility bills.
The ENERGY STAR® Logo
The Environmental Protection Energy uses an ENERGY STAR logo to indicate that certain HVAC units have met very high standards or efficiency in performance. You always want to buy a product that has an Energy Star logo!
Energy Efficiency Made Simple by Hader Solutions
To learn more about energy-efficient HVAC systems, give Hader Solutions a call at (513) 612-9201. Our friendly and experienced experts have provided excellent service in Cincinnati, OH, and nearby areas for over 100 years. They are eager to help you reach a more energy-efficient future.
