3 Ways to Tell if Your HVAC Unit is Energy efficient

Having an energy-efficient Heating and Air Conditioning (HVAC)  system doesn’t just help you save money on your electricity bill, but it also keeps your home comfortable no matter the time of the year.  Additionally, an energy-efficient system lasts longer and comes with environmental benefits. So it’s important to make sure that your current heating or air conditioning unit, or the one you’re thinking of buying, truly saves energy. Here are 3 ways to tell if your HVAC unit is energy efficient:

Check your system’s SEER and AFUE ratings 

SEER stands for seasonal energy efficiency ratio, and AFUE stands for annual fuel utilization efficiency. Your unit’s SEER and AFUE ratings can be found in its cabinet or user’s manual.

In a nutshell, SEER determines how efficient your air conditioner is. To calculate SEER ratings, divide the cooling output during the summer season by the energy used. The higher the SEER, the less electricity your system consumes. 

Good SEER values for home air conditioners are 14-16. Your unit should be at least 14.5 SEER to meet the ENERGY STAR specifications of the Department of Energy. Otherwise, you might consider upgrading your system to save energy and money.

On the other hand, AFUE is used to measure the efficiency of furnaces. A furnace with an AFUE of 90% turns 90% of the fuel you buy into heat. To get the most value for your money, choose a furnace with an AFUE of 95% and above, although furnaces with at least 90% AFUE is already energy efficient.

Check your utility bills for large fluctuations

An inefficient HVAC system causes reduced performance and a spike in your gas or electric bill. While slight increases in your bills over the past couple of years are normal, unusual increases can be blamed on an under-performing and inefficient heating and air conditioning system.

It’s worth the time and effort to review your bills and get a good grasp of what – and how much- you’ve been paying over the years. If you see large fluctuations in your bills, it’s best to contact a local technician to take a look at your unit and make sure it’s working as it should. 

Look out for other signs of inefficiency 

As your heating or air conditioning unit gets older, more often than not, it becomes less energy-efficient. Aside from abnormally high energy bills, there are other signs to watch out for: hot or cold spots, more frequent breakdowns, and increased humidity in your home. 

We Can Help Improve Your Unit’s Efficiency 

Another way to keep your unit running as smoothly and efficiently as possible is to schedule a routine tune-up or maintenance. This ensures your heating or air conditioning system is properly producing and distributing heated or cool air throughout your home. Regular maintenance also helps avoid unexpected and expensive breakdowns.

To schedule an appointment, or to reach one of our heating and air conditioning experts, use our exclusive Good Guys Home Services Mobile app or fill out our online form for faster service.