Precision Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc.
"Quality service you can depend on year 'round"
1849 Hwy 31 North, Prattville AL 36067
(334) 361-6550 ~ (334) 850-6550
AL Cert# 87168 Established in 1993
Precision Air Conditioning & Heating Inc.
1849 Highway 31 North
Prattville, AL 36067
ph: 334-361-6550
precisio
Up to half of your utility bill is attributable to heating and cooling costs. In order to keep these costs under control, ensure your heating and air conditioning system is running at peak efficiency by:
HVAC EFFICIENCY RATINGS
MERV ( Minimum Efficiency Rating Value )
MERV ratings measure the efficiency of an air filter. They range from 1-16 and the higher the MERV rating, the more it filters out dust particles, pollen, mold, pet dander, etc. A high MERV rating means the air filter has small pores, filtering out more, while a low rating means the air filter has large pores, which can let more pollutants and particles through the filter and back into your home’s air.
Furnaces are built to operate with certain airflows, so using a different air filter than what it was built for can cause airflow problems. Because high MERV ratings mean the air filter has smaller pores, it can be more difficult for air to flow through it, leading to a more inefficient system. Your best bet is to go with the MERV efficiency ratings recommended by the furnace manufacturer.
To find out what kind of MERV you currently have, check the side of your filter or the packaging it came in. If you have a low rating and are interested in increasing it, call Precision to be sure your furnace can handle it. A higher MERV rated filter is especially great for those that have asthma, allergies, or any other respiratory ailments.
SEER ( Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio )
The SEER rating measures the efficiency of air conditioners and heat pumps to help homeowners know how much energy their system is using. The higher the SEER, the less energy it will use, which means lower utility bills and less of an impact on the environment.
SEER is measured by the amount of cooling a system puts out for each unit of energy it consumes (like the amount of miles a car drives for each gallon of gas used). The highest SEER rating available is SEER 30, which would be applied to the most energy efficient system. The government requires a minimum SEER rating of 14.0 for newly installed systems in our area.
AFUE ( Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency )
AFUE is a standard measurement of efficiency for gas and oil-fired furnaces. In basic terms, it measures the percentage of heat delivered to your house from each unit of fuel used. For example, an 80% AFUE rating means the furnace converts 80% of the fuel/oil to heat your house (the other 20% gets sent out the flue). In financial terms, think about it this way. An 80% rating means for every dollar spent, 80 cents goes toward heating your home and 20 cents gets wasted. The higher the AFUE rating, the better. The minimum rating for newly installed furnaces is 80%.
HSPF ( Heating Seasonal Performance Factor )
HSPF is a measurement used to gauge the heating efficiency of heat pumps. Heat pumps work by using the difference between outdoor and indoor air temperatures to cool and heat your home. Although they’re similar to air conditioners, heat pumps can cycle air in both directions, heating your home in the winter and cooling it in the summer. The higher the HSPF rating, the more efficient and cost effective your heat pump will be to run. Translation: a higher rating means cheaper bills. The minimum HSPF rating of a new heat pump is 8.2, and the most efficient heat pumps have an HSPF rating of 13.
The different HVAC acronyms and ratings can be confusing, but remember the majority measure efficiency and are designed to help you get the most bang for your buck. Knowing where your equipment falls on the scale can help you to make the most out of your HVAC system without wasting money.
Copyright 2015
Precision Air Conditioning & Heating,Inc.
All rights reserved
Precision Air Conditioning & Heating Inc.
1849 Highway 31 North
Prattville, AL 36067
ph: 334-361-6550
precisio