What does AFUE stand for?

AFUE, or Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, measures how efficiently a furnace converts fuel to heat. In simpler terms, this metric determines how much fuel your furnace is actually turning into heat for your home. Thus, the higher the AFUE rating, the more energy-efficient the system and the more heat entering your home.

Like we mentioned earlier, EER2 is the energy efficiency of your air conditioner or other cooling system. EER2 ratings are always calculated with the unit working at an outdoor temperature of 95°F, an indoor temperature of 80°F, and at 50% humidity.

What does SEER stand for?

SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. SEER2 is an updated version of SEER for air conditioners and heat pumps, effective Jan. 1, 2023. SEER2 measures air conditioner and heat pump cooling efficiency, which is calculated by taking the cooling output for a typical cooling season and dividing it by the total electric energy input during the same time frame.

HSPF, or Heating Seasonal Performance Factor, measures how efficiently a heat pump can heat your home during the cold weather months. The Department of Energy (DOE) has recently refined the testing procedure for determining HSPF, resulting in the creation of HSPF2, a more accurate scale to measure heat pump efficiency.

ENERGY STAR is a voluntary program sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DOE). The program helps people save money and protect our climate through superior energy efficiency for products, homes, businesses and buildings. It is a government-backed label that identifies highly efficient products and practices in order to help consumers make informed decisions about their energy use.

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HVAC Tips & Tricks9min read

Federal Sustainability Requirements and Regulations, and How They Impact Homeowners

Explore sustainability regulations and how they directly impact homeowners.

Published:
December 18, 2023

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