Your Guide to HVAC Rating Systems

energy efficiency guide hvac systems and installations

HVAC Ratings 101

The Simons Guide to HVAC Energy Efficiency Ratings

Everyone loves opening their monthly energy bill to discover that it’s lower than you were expecting. With the HVAC system being one of the largest contributors to your electrical bill, it’s a good idea to take advantage of any chance to save. As a homeowner, understanding how to choose the most energy-efficient HVAC system for your personal comfort needs can help deliver the highest possible energy savings.

There are many different ways to measure the efficiency of heating and cooling systems, so a few unified rating systems were created to help homeowners compare the best HVAC products more easily. Knowing what each system’s measurements mean can help you make the smartest choice when it’s time to replace your heating or cooling system. Here are some of the most common HVAC energy-efficiency ratings and what they mean:

Start with Systems that Boast ENERGY STAR® Certification

The best way to start making sure you’re getting an efficient HVAC system is to look for the ENERGY STAR® certification. This isn’t actually a rating, but a federal certification that a product meets energy efficiency standards. The program was established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1992, and any systems wanting certification must meet strict requirements and complete lab testing. Look for the blue ENERGY STAR logo to know you’re getting an HVAC system that meets minimum energy efficiency standards.

Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) and HSPF2

HSPF, or Heating Seasonal Performance Factor 2, measures the efficiency of air-source heat pumps over an entire heating season. The rating itself represents the ratio of the total space heating required (in BTUs) to the total electrical energy consumed (in watt-hours) by the heat pump system. Check out our Furnace BTU Calculator here!

The shift to the HSPF2 system is based on a more rigorous testing method to reflect real-world conditions better. So while an HSPF2 rating might appear lower than its old HSPF rating, it actually represents a more accurate measure of efficiency under typical use.

A higher HSPF2 indicates a more efficient heat pump; for instance, an HSPF2 of 10 means the heat pump provides 10 BTUs of heating for every watt-hour of electricity consumed.

Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) and SEER2

The SEER rating is defined by the AHRI (Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute) and is probably the most well-known energy efficiency rating, illustrating how well your air conditioner cools your home during the cooling season. Higher SEER ratings mean greater efficiency, and while the federal minimum SEER rating for new systems is 13, newer technology offers much higher ratings (and lower energy costs!) for you.

SEER2 measures the cooling efficiency of air conditioners–and heat pumps when used for cooling–over an entire season. It is the ratio of the total cooling output (in BTUs) during a typical cooling season. A higher SEER2 rating means you’ll see much higher energy efficiency. In fact, top-of-the-line cooling models can boast ratings higher than 20!

The principle for the transition to SEER2 is the same; SEER2 ratings account for more accurate operating conditions and overall performance. SEER2 ratings might look lower than their SEER counterparts, but they are more reliable if you’re considering air conditioning installation.

Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE)

If a heating system uses gas or oil, it uses the AFUE rating system. Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, or AFUE, tells you how much heat the system provides for every dollar you spend on fuel, and a high rating means less fuel is wasted during heating.

For example, an AFUE of 90% means that 90% of the fuel energy is converted to heat, while the remaining 10% is lost. AFUE helps consumers compare the efficiency of different heating systems, and many high-efficiency models offer ratings of 95% or more. We can easily recommend the best options for furnace installation projects.

Trust Simons to Set Your HVAC Up for Success

Choosing the most efficient system for new or replacement installation can help ensure it delivers the best results for you. Simons Heating and Cooling has the expertise to help our customers find their ideal comfort solutions, so give us a call today at (518) 955-1051 to request more information or request a free quote for installation (which you can now also get your free instant online installation quote right here on our website as well.) We can walk you through our more energy-efficient models, current available rebates, and what rating is best for your needs!

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