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 provides quality comfort in your Murrieta home while still remaining energy efficient. Better energy efficiency means your system is operating well while using less energy. Whether you are thinking about a replacement air conditioner or furnace or looking to upgrade your existing 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 indicate?
SEER (used to measure cooling efficiency)
SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. The SEER rating considers the competence of your unit at different temperatures, meaning, seasonally in Murrieta. A larger SEER rating signifies a higher energy efficiency, which will translate into lower utility bills. The Department of Energy requires a minimum 13 SEER-rating for colder states in the north and a 14 SEER-rating minimum for warmer, southern states. If your home has an older unit with a lower SEER-rating, you could see drastic 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 finds the percentage of heat created for every dollar of fuel expended. You can consider it as the MPG on your car. The higher the AFUE-rating, the lower your energy costs. If your furnace has a AFUE rating of 80, that means that 80% of the heat generated is consumed to heat the home, while 20% of the heat is misplaced through venting.
HSPF stands for the Heating Seasonal Performance Factor and is used to measure the heating effectiveness of heat pumps. It is the SEER rating for the colder months as it only keeps track of your unit’s heating effectiveness. Again, the greater the number, the more energy efficient the heat pump.
Cool Air Solutions in Murrieta offers equipment with the greatest energy efficiency ratings. If you are hesitant what the energy ratings are of the heating and cooling 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 951-299-9853 to set up an appointment with us.