May 17, 2016

HVAC Energy Efficiency Explained

energy efficiency

Your HVAC SEER rating and the efficiency of your Charlottesville, Virginia, home both affect your energy savings during the summer months. It’s not just your HVAC unit that determines your energy usage every month. Your thermostat, ductwork, windows, and filters all affect the energy efficiency as well.

SEER Ratings and HVAC Energy Efficiency

The SEER rating on your air conditioner is a big determining factor for how efficient your HVAC system runs. Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio is the standard rating for air conditioning performance. The minimum SEER rating for your air conditioner must be at least 13. Models today come with a SEER rating of 23 and higher. The higher the rating, the more efficient your air conditioning unit will be, which means it uses less energy for more cooling capability than lower-rated systems do.

Your Home Thermostat

Your thermostat can also be a determining factor for the energy efficiency of your HVAC unit. Traditional thermostats are less efficient than programmable thermostats since you can set the temperature to adjust automatically when you program your system. Furthermore, smart thermostats and home automation also increase savings since you can control temperatures even while you’re away from home.

Other Factors and Considerations

Your HVAC system is only as energy efficient as the home it’s heating or cooling. If you have clogged air filters, closed or blocked vents, cracks in windows, or leaky ductwork, your air conditioner’s SEER rating won’t matter. Your HVAC unit will work most efficiently when you have made sure that your home well sealed and is as efficient as possible as well.

If you have concerns, consider scheduling a home energy audit, which will tell you where you might be losing efficiency throughout your home.

If you would like to find ways to improve the efficiency of your home and system, we are your qualified HVAC technicians. Contact W.E. Brown, Inc. today at (434) 295-1177 to speak with an experienced professional about your system or to schedule an appointment for preventive maintenance.

Image provided by Shutterstock

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