More than half of your utility bills in Chelan and Wenatchee consist of cost to heat and cool your home. To save as much money as you can, you should find a system that can provide home comfort as efficiently as possible. The better your system’s energy efficiency, the more your system is doing while using less energy. If you’re ready to upgrade or replace your HVAC equipment, you should understand a handful terms and ratings to be fully informed and get the best energy efficiency possible.
SEER (used to measure cooling efficiency)
The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, or SEER, rating assesses the cooling efficiency of your equipment at different temperatures. Higher SEER ratings indicate better energy efficiency, and therefore, lower utility bills. For cooler northern states, The Department of Energy requires a minimum 13 SEER rating. Warmer, southern states must a minimum SEER rating of 14. If your unit has a poor SEER-rating, an upgrade could bring you a valuable spike in energy savings.
AFUE or HSPF (used to measure heating efficiency: gas or electric)
Annualized Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) ratio identifies the percentage of heat produced for every dollar of fuel used—similar the miles per gallon you get from your car. Higher AFUE ratings usually mean lower energy costs. So, an AFUE rating of 80 means that 80% of the heat produced by your furnace is heating your home, and 20% of the heat is wasted through venting.
The Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) measures the heating efficiency of heat pumps. It is essentially the SEER rating for winter because it measures only heating efficiency. Like the other ratings, higher numbers denote better energy efficiency.
At Lakeside Heating & Air, you’ll find equipment with top energy efficiency ratings. We can help you verify the energy efficiency of your current equipment and help you find ways to improve that efficiency and save money—whether with regular maintenance or with new, more efficient equipment. Just call us at 509-284-4265 to schedule an appointment with us.