What Do These 3 Heating and Cooling Efficiency Ratings Mean?

Homeowners should always be aware of heating and cooling efficiency ratings. Heating ratings help determine how much energy your HVAC system is using to heat your Augusta, GA home, and they help to compare different models of furnaces and heat pumps. Here are the three types of heating and cooling efficiency ratings that you need to know about when purchasing a new HVAC system.

AFUE

The Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating is the most common type of heating efficiency rating. It measures how much fuel your furnace uses to produce one unit of heat. For example, if your furnace has an AFUE rating of 80%, that means that for every 100 units of fuel it burns, it produces 80 units of heat.

The higher the AFUE rating, the more efficient the furnace. The ratings are critical in winter because they let you know how much fuel your furnace will use to maintain comfortable temperatures and improve the indoor air quality in your home.

HSPF

The Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) is the efficiency rating for heat pumps. It measures the amount of heat your heat pump can generate for each unit of electricity it uses. For example, if your heat pump has an HSPF rating of 9, it can generate nine units of heat for every 1 unit of electricity it uses.

HSPF ratings are in “heating seasons,” which is when the outside temperature falls below 45 degrees and rises above that same temperature. During winter, most of Augusta, GA, will fall into this range, so it’s important to choose a heat pump with a high HSPF rating.

SEER

The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) is the efficiency rating for air conditioners. It measures the amount of cooling your air conditioner can generate for each unit of electricity it uses. For example, if your air conditioner has a SEER rating of 13, it can generate 13 units of cooling for every 1 unit of electricity it uses.

Knowing these three efficiency ratings is important because they can help determine how much money you will save on your energy bills. If you need furnace or heat pump services, contact Plunkett Heating & Air to know more about the AFUE and HSPF ratings. If you’re shopping for a new air conditioner, ask about the SEER rating.

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