HVAC systems play a vital role in keeping your home comfortable and energy efficient. If you’re considering installing a new system or upgrading your old one, you may be wondering if high-efficiency HVAC systems are for you. The HVAC team at Douglas Cooling & Heating lists the benefits of opting for an energy-efficient HVAC system so you can decide on the best choice when it comes time to shop for a new HVAC system.
How High-Efficiency HVAC Systems Work
High-efficiency HVAC systems are becoming increasingly popular, especially as homeowners look for ways to reduce their energy costs.
Electric Heat Pump Systems
There are a few different types of high-efficiency systems, but one of the most common is an electric heat pump system. Heat pump systems use electricity instead of gas to heat a home, and they can be up to 50% more efficient than traditional gas furnaces. In addition to being more efficient, heat pump systems also tend to be smaller and quieter than their gas counterparts. Because they don’t produce any emissions, they’re also better for the environment. Heat pump systems can also cool your home in the summertime, making them a very high-efficiency HVAC system because you only need one system to control your home’s comfort in every season.
Gas Systems
High-efficiency gas furnaces are another option for high-efficiency HVAC systems. There are a few key features that make high-efficiency gas furnaces more efficient than traditional models.
- First, they feature a secondary heat exchanger that captures waste heat and uses it to heat incoming air. This component is used to capture heat that would otherwise be lost through the flue pipe and helps to improve the unit’s overall efficiency by minimizing waste.
- The modulating gas valve is another important feature of high-efficiency furnaces. This valve regulates the amount of gas that flows into the furnace, and it can modulate the flame to match the demand for heat. This means that the furnace will run more efficiently, and it will use less energy overall.
- High-efficiency gas furnaces often have a variable speed blower that can adjust its operating speed to meet the specific heating needs of the home or business. By operating at a lower speed when possible, the blower uses less energy and further improves the efficiency of the furnace.
Understanding Your Energy Efficiency Rating
When it comes to shopping for modern HVAC systems, understanding their energy efficiency ratings will help you better see how much energy these units can help you save. These ratings tell you how efficiently a unit uses the energy it intakes.
- SEER, or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, is a measure of a heat pump or air conditioner system’s cooling efficiency. It measures cooling output divided by energy intake over the season. The higher the SEER rating, the more energy efficient the system.
- HSPF, or Heating Seasonal Performance Factor, is a measure of a heat pump system’s heating efficiency. It shares the total heating output divided by the total electricity intake over the heating season. The higher the HSPF rating, the more energy efficient the system.
- AFUE, or Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, is a measure of a furnace system’s overall energy efficiency. It represents the total amount of heat produced for each dollar of fuel it consumes. The higher the AFUE rating, the more energy efficient the system.
For heat pump high-efficiency HVAC systems, SEER ratings usually start at 18 SEER and go up, while HSPF ratings are 9 HSPF and higher. For a furnace, a high-efficiency HVAC unit will start with an AFUE rating of 90% AFUE and go up to about 98.5% currently. With higher efficiency ratings, high-efficiency HVAC units typically cost more than standard systems. However, the energy savings they generate through lower energy consumption can provide homeowners with a greater value in ongoing lower energy bills.
Installation for High-Efficiency HVAC Systems
Installing a high-efficiency HVAC system is one of the best investments you can make for your home, for many reasons. If you’re ready to upgrade your current HVAC system with a new high-efficiency system call Douglas Cooling & Heating today. We offer top-of-the-line high-efficiency HVAC systems and have many available options to choose from. Our team will help you find the perfect energy-efficient heating system for your needs and install it quickly and professionally.
