Let’s start with the Acronyms
There are many acronyms that assist us in determining the energy efficiency of HVAC systems. Understanding these acronyms will help you select the best units for your home or might just help you when speaking to an HVAC professional. Suddenly what used to sound like Charlie Brown’s teacher may just make a little more sense.
Glossary of Terms for Energy Efficient HVAC and Plumbing
Acronym: AFUE = Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency
- For fuel-burning furnaces or boilers, this is the rating for energy efficiency.
- What you need to know: The higher the percentage means there is a higher efficiency of fuel that is converted into heat. Furnaces can have AFUE ratings of 70-98 older furnaces having the lower ratings, but the minimum now is 78. Boilers can have AFUE’s ranging from 80-98 again, the older units are at the bottom of the scale.
Acronym: BTU’s = British Thermal Units
- It is a unit of measurement that calculates the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit.
- What you need to know: A higher BTU isn’t always better as a more powerful system can be sucking up more energy. It is best to determine the best and most efficient BTU for your house’s needs. You might need a professional’s help to determine this one, but at least you now know what it means.
Acronym: EER = Energy Efficiency Ratio
- Your room air conditioner uses a certain amount of energy.
- What you need to know: The higher the number, the more efficient the unit. However, when it comes to energy efficiency, you will want to also factor in the size of the room so as to not get a unit that is too big or too small which will affect the energy consumption.
Acronym: HSPF = Heating Seasonal Performance Factor
- Your heat pump’s energy efficiency rating for an entire season.
- What you need to know: The higher the HSPF rating, the better the energy efficiency. The minimum HSPF rating is 7.7. It can, most recently, be as high as 13.
Acronym: MERV = Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value
- Your air filters have an energy efficiency rating.
- What you need to know: The higher the rating the better the filtration, which means the more particles it keeps out. MERV’s can range from 1 to 16.
Acronym: SEER = Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating
- Your central air conditioner has an energy efficiency rating over an entire season.
- What you need to know: The higher the number, the more energy efficient a unit will be. SEER ratings range from 13 to 23.
For this Glossary of Terms for Energy Efficient HVAC and Plumbing, and other information to help you with HVAC and Plumbing, you can count on A-1 American Services to help you repair or install what is best for your home.
Call A-1 American today for your emergency heating, plumbing, Water Heater and AC repairs.
Southside 757-425-2400 Peninsula 757-595-9900 Williamsburg 757-565-1900.
A-1 American provides air conditioning, heating, water heater and plumbing services to homes and businesses in the Hampton Roads Virginia cities of Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Newport News and Hampton and north into Williamsburg. A-1 American provides emergency service and repair, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including weekends and holidays. A-1 American charges by the job, not by the hour. A-1 American prides itself on immediate response, punctuality, courtesy and customer satisfaction.
Call today! Southside 757-425-2400 Peninsula 757-595-9900 Williamsburg 757-565-1900.
