More than half of your utility bills in Norco and St. Charles Parish can be attributed to the cost to heat and cool your home. To save as much money as you can, you should look for 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 preparing to upgrade or replace your HVAC equipment, you should understand a few 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 various temperatures. Higher SEER ratings signify better energy efficiency, and therefore, lower utility bills. For chillier 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 lower SEER-rating, an upgrade could bring you a helpful 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 expended—kind of like the miles per gallon you get from your car. Higher AFUE ratings translate into lower energy costs. So, an AFUE rating of 80 means that 80% of the heat created by your furnace is heating your home, and 20% of the heat is lost through venting.
The Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) measures the heating efficiency of heat pumps. It is in essence the SEER rating for winter since it measures only heating efficiency. Like the other ratings, higher numbers indicate better energy efficiency.
At Mayeuxs AC & Heating, you’ll find equipment with the best energy efficiency ratings. We can help you determine the energy efficiency of your current equipment and help you find ways to improve on it and save money—whether with regular maintenance or with new, more efficient equipment. Just call us at (985) 764-2426 to schedule an appointment with us.