How High-Efficiency Heating & Cooling Helps You Save
Heating and cooling costs can really add up for homeowners in four-season climates like we have here in the Harrisburg, PA, area. For most of us, cutting down on energy costs without sacrificing home comfort is the goal—especially in peak summer and winter months. What’s one surefire way to do it? Equip your home with energy-efficient appliances.
Benefits of Upgrading Your HVAC Systems
When you utilize higher efficiency heating and cooling systems, you can look forward to more effective energy output. This means your systems run less to produce the same amount of energy, leading to the following major benefits and more.
- Lower annual heating and cooling costs
- Better year-round home comfort
- Reduced risk of equipment failure
- Fewer emissions released into the atmosphere
Understanding Efficiency Ratings & Equipment Features
Your boiler or furnace’s efficiency is measured by an annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) rating. This represents how much heat the system gives off and how much energy it takes to produce it. Similarly, your central air conditioning system’s efficiency is measured using a seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER).
Common features of high-efficiency heating systems:
- Upwards of 85% AFUE
- Sealed combustion
- ENERGY STAR® approval
Common features of high-efficiency central air systems:
- Upwards of 20 SEER
- Compatible with programmable thermostats
- ENERGY STAR® approval
The Right Time to Upgrade
If your current heating or cooling equipment is more than 15 years old, you can save anywhere from 30% to 50% by upgrading to new, energy-efficient systems. Making an upgrade is particularly important if your heating system’s stack temperature over 500° or if your A/C still uses R22 refrigerant.
Not sure about the age or condition of your home energy appliances? Want to learn more about the benefits of high efficiency? We’re here to help!