If you are looking for a new heating and cooling system, there are a lot of factors to think about. Is it the appropriate size for your home? Is it energy efficient? Is the price point one you’re comfortable with? Will the unit be quiet enough for your home? How will it impact the air quality? It can be overwhelming. On top of all the questions you have, some HVAC knowledge seems just out of reach. The acronyms and shorthand that industry professionals use can raise more questions for the average individual. Luckily, the experts at Air Houston Mechanical LLC are breaking down the system ratings to give you a better understanding as you begin shopping:
- Annualized Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE): This efficiency rating is a ratio that associates how much of the fuel you use in your furnace to the amount turned into usable heat. The higher the percentage of heat used, the better the system rating.
If your system has an AFUE rating of 85, that means the system converts 85 percent of the fuel used into usable heat. Highly efficient systems have an AFUE of 90 or higher. Lennox offers residential furnaces with ratings up to 98.7—the highest in the industry.
- Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER): Both heat pumps and air conditioners use this rating. Much like AFUE, this ratio looks at how much of the fuel used to power an HVAC system is converted to cooling output. The higher the SEER rating, the more efficient your system is operating.
Minimum SEER ratings differ between regions. A high-efficiency model that provides more energy savings, in the long run, will generally be a little more expensive. Lennox carries air conditioners with SEER ratings up to 26—another industry-leading rating.
- Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF): Do you own a heat pump or plan to shop for one? This is the heating efficiency rating you need to know. The higher your heat pump is rated, the more efficient it is. If you are in the market for a heat pump that’s ENERGY STAR® efficient, you’ll need a rating above 8.2—as well as a SEER rating above 12.
Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV): Air filters have holes that allow air and particles to flow around the house. MERV measures the size of the holes. The higher the rating, the smaller the holes in the filter—and the fewer debris particles that enter your home. If you’re looking for a more efficient filter, find one with a MERV rating of 10 or higher.
Air filters are essential to the quality of air in your home. Make sure to find the rating that works with your home, with your system, and change the filter frequently.
Keeping these ratings in mind as you begin looking for a new system will help ensure you find one that meets your needs and will work with your home. If you’re ready to find the best solution, or you have more questions about system ratings, call the experts at Air Houston Mechanical LLC. You can reach us at (832) 957-9332 We’re here to answer your questions and get you on the path to home comfort.
