How Is The Efficiency Of Heating And Cooling Equipment Measured?

People around the world are increasingly becoming aware of the need to reduce their energy consumption as a way of combating global warming. The best way to make a home energy-efficient is to install energy efficient appliances, especially heating and cooling systems. Unfortunately, many people do not know how these appliances are rated. Read on to learn about the efficiency ratings for HVAC equipment.

Energy Star Rating

This is the most reliable rating and also the most popular. It was formulated by the EPA. The rating is only given to HVAC equipment that meet the efficiency requirements set by the EPA based on: contribution made by the appliance to nationwide energy savings; the time it takes to recover the cost difference between the highly efficient equipment and its less efficient counterpart in the market; and the measured performance of the machine. By purchasing Energy Star-rated appliances, you can be assured of spending less on utility bills.

EER Rating

This is the energy efficiency ratio of the HVAC equipment. The rating gives consumers a good idea of the cooling capacity they can expect to get for every dollar they spend on energy bills. This rating is based on the temperatures recorded on the hottest day of the year.

SEER Rating

This is similar to EER rating, except for the fact that it takes into consideration the average cooling power provided by the HVAC equipment for every dollar spent on utility bills throughout the whole season. HVAC equipment with a rating of 16 are the most energy efficient, while those with a rating of 13 being the least energy efficient.

MERV Rating

MERV stands for minimum efficiency reporting value. This is a rating system for air filters in HVAC equipment. It is based on the idea that air filters with smaller holes are more efficient in trapping dust and contaminants. In this system, filters are rated on a scale of 1 to 16, with 1 being the lowest efficiency available and 16 being the highest.

HSPF Rating

HSPF is short for Heating Seasonal Performance Factor. This is a system of rating the efficiency of the heat pump’s heating efficiency. The HSPF rating scale ranges from 6.8 to 10. Consumers should get HVAC equipment with HSPF rating of 7.5 and above.

Getting the most energy efficient equipment can help you reduce your carbon footprint as well as save on utility bills. Follow Our Blog for More Great HVAC Information.