HOW TO TELL IF YOUR HVAC UNIT IS ENERGY EFFICIENT
Because heating and cooling consume more than half of the energy in your Forest Acres home, your HVAC system must perform as efficiently as possible. It’s also crucial to recognize the symptoms that indicate it’s time to upgrade to a more energy-efficient system.
The Efficiency of Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps (SEER)
Understanding the SEER of your air conditioner is the first step in determining whether you have an energy-efficient HVAC system. Seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) is an acronym for seasonal energy efficiency ratio.
So, how can you figure out what your system’s SEER rating is? Can find the seer rating in the user handbook or on the AC unit’s cabinet. You are better off if your number is higher.
The SEER rating system will base on how well an air conditioner transforms electricity into cooling power. Your unit must have a minimum SEER of 14.5 to meet the ENERGY STAR requirements set forth by the US Department of Energy.
AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) is a measure of gas furnace efficiency.
The conventional metric for air conditioning is SEER; however, for furnaces, we use AFUE. Annual fuel usage efficiency does abbreviate as AFUE. The higher the AFUE percentage, the more efficiently your furnace will burn its fuel.
Signs That Your HVAC System Isn’t Running As Well As It Should
Increased Utility Bills
When everything else is equal, a significant increase in your electric or gas bill could indicate that your energy-efficient HVAC system isn’t performing as effectively as it could. Slight increases over time are typical, but significant changes can signal a severe problem.
If you suspect this is the case, it’s worth your time to go over your bills from the previous several years. First, get a sense of how much you’ve been paying. Then, contact a local service technician if you’ve seen a significant and unexpected spike in expenditures. Request that they inspect your system to ensure that everything is in working order.
Increased Repair Frequency
If you’re calling your local HVAC firm more frequently than usual, your unit is probably not as energy efficient as it once was.
Spots of Heat and Cold
When your HVAC system is energy efficient, it keeps your home at the same temperature. However, if you find hot and cold areas in different rooms, you may need to check your system. The possibility that your system is not powerful enough to heat and cool your entire house. Temperature differences in your home can also do cause by poorly insulated ductwork.
Interior Humidity Out of Control
A decent air conditioner should both cool and dehumidify your home. One clue is that your air conditioner is experiencing difficulty in an increasingly damp interior environment. Not only would this reduce overall air quality, but you’re also likely overpaying for cooling.
What Should I Do?
Dirty coils are sometimes to blame for the increased humidity—the messier the coil, the lower the cooling and dehumidification performance. Making sure the coils are clean at the start of each cooling season will go a long way toward resolving this issue.
Rice Heating and Air are a full-service HVAC Contractor headquartered in Alma, AR. The company specializes in air conditioning repair, AC installations, indoor air quality systems, heating repair, and furnace installations. Rice Heating and Air are focused on helping homeowners and businesses staying comfortable year-round. We are your comfort experts.
Call us today for any of your heating and cooling needs.
