How to Measure HVAC Units Energy Efficiency

If you are planning to replace your old and inefficient HVAC then you are making the right decision. Old HVAC systems are not powerful enough to provide heating and cooling needs without using up a lot of energy. This is the reason why according to experts your HVAC system is responsible for more than half of your total electric bills.

Imagine how much you would be saving in let's say 30 to 35 years of using energy efficient HVAC units. You would be saving hundreds of thousands in the long run that you can actually consider this a win-win investment. Now, if you are smart enough, you would go for those with New York HVAC units with high Energy Efficiency Ratings or EER.

You see HVAC system is naturally thirsty for electricity, no matter what you do, once you turn it on during cold winter season or hot summer season, you are bound to pay thousands for it. Now, newer models have the ability to quench this thirst without burning hole in your pockets every single month. To know how energy efficient your HVAC system is, you have to look for their EER rating.

US national standard rating for HVAC system is 8 but there are some units that can go as high as 9.8. So if you are serious about making long term savings, go with 9.8. It may be a little costly than those with 8 EER, but it sure does save you a lot of money for the rest of its life span. Most HVAC contractors would be more than happy to give you assistance with this matter.

Now, aside from EER, there is this thing called SEER also referred to as Seasonal Energy Saving Ratio. SEER measure the energy efficiency of your HVAC system when used the accounted climate. In other words the energy efficiency of the unit is calculated based on how efficient they unit is during extreme conditions when they are highly in use.

So that means the higher SEER rating your HVAC unit has the more reliable they are. All modern units would have SEER 14 but highly efficient ones can go up to 14.5. Only units with 14 to 14.5 SEER ratings pass government Energy Star Rating certifications. HSPF also called Heating Seasonal Performance Factor is also another measurement used for HVAC units. Rating ranges from 8 to 8.2.

Government Grant

Since HVAC system and hiring qualified contractors can be very costly to some people, the US federal government provides grants and even small interest loans to those who want to replace their old HVAC system with energy efficient ones. This is part of their green campaigns to help prevent the massive dry up of our fuel resources.