A Buyer’s Guide
Let’s face it, unless you’re in the Top 1% you could use a little cost savings. Energy prices are on the rise, the media is screaming about conserving energy and global climate change and many of us are feeling the pinch at the grocery and the gas pump.
These issues may not seem related to buying a new ac unit or heating system, but they are. With regulations, efficiency ratings and the like there’s likely a number of energy-efficient, new home appliances in your price range.
Buying new appliances can be daunting, so we’ve put together a Buyer’s Guide to help you ask the right questions, find the right ratings and, most importantly, save the most money.
Key Questions to Ask Yourself
- What type of system do you need?
For example, when purchasing an air conditioner you have three main types.
- Central air conditioning – cools evenly throughout your home but requires air ducts.
- Portable or room air conditioning – offers affordable, portable ac which can be moved as needed.
- Window or In-Wall air conditioning – inexpensive and easy to install. Cool a single room, not as easy to transport as a portable ac unit.
- What size space to be heated or cooled?
Sizing your unit is important as it determines to quality of comfort you’ll get and the amount of energy your unit will use to obtain and maintain a comfortable temperature.
For example, if you buy a larger unit than necessary the unit will turn on and off frequently which will decrease its effectiveness while increasing the cost and amount of energy used. A too small unit will run constantly, raising energy consumption and costs.
- Where is the best location to install a unit?
Avoid installing a heating or air conditioning unit in direct sunlight if at all possible. Keep the area around the unit clear for ventilation purposes. A qualified professional can help determine the best location for installation. If installing a room ac, avoid south-facing windows that receive a lot of sunlight.
- How important is energy efficiency?
The media wants everyone to “go green”. It’s easier than you may think, plus it will save money. Being energy efficient is very important and using our “Efficiency Ratings of Appliances and Equipment” guide below will help decipher the acronyms for your particular type of system.
Find a highly efficient system and it will run better, cost less, and be part of your contribution to a better world.
- What additional options might you want?
- If allergies are a problem you may want a good air filter. Improving your indoor air quality will help reduce allergens circulated throughout your home.
- If airflow is a concern, you may want to inspect the number of fan settings available. The more settings the more likely you can obtain the most comfortable airflow for you, possibly saving energy in the process.
- If warranties are big in your book, check out the manufacturers and any extended warranties available. A minimum of one-year is a must for a portable unit; 5-10 years are common on central units.
- If humidity is a concern look for ac units with dehumidifiers.
- If multitasking ranks high on your list, some of the new ac units double as heaters and dehumidifiers.
- If control is your game, some units come with remote capability so you can be the master of the remote in more ways than one.
Efficiency Ratings of Appliances and Equipment
Here are some standard ratings you may find when making a purchase:
AFUE - (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency)
A standard measurement of gas or oil burning efficiency. It's how we rate the efficiency of our furnaces and boilers. A higher AFUE percentage means a more efficient product.
COP – (Coefficient of Performance)
The measurement of how efficiently a heating or cooling system (particularly a heat pump in its heating mode and a chiller for cooling) will operate at a single outdoor temperature condition. When applied to the heating modes of heat pumps, that temperature condition is usually 47°F.
The higher the COP, the more efficient the system.
EER - (energy efficiency ratio)
A measure of how efficiently a cooling system will operate when the outdoor temperature is at a specific level (usually 95° F).
A higher EER means the system is more efficient. The term EER is most commonly used when referring to window and unitary air conditioners and heat pumps, as well as water-source and geothermal heat pumps.
ENERGY STAR
A program launched by the Environmental Protection Agency. Products bearing the Energy Star logo have met EPA's stringent requirements for efficient use of our natural resources.
HSPF - (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor)
A standard measurement of electrical as applied to heating with a heat pump. A higher HSPF rating means a more efficient product.
R-Value
The measurement of how effectively a material resists the transfer of heat via conduction. The higher the R-value, the less heat transfer can take place.
SEER - (Standard Energy Efficiency Ratio)
A standard measurement of electrical efficiency as applied to cooling with an air conditioner or heat pump. A higher SEER rating means a more efficient product.
U-Value
The measurement of how much heat can be conducted through a building component (such as a wall or window). The higher the U-value, the more heat the material(s) will allow to be transferred through it.
Other Energy Efficiency Factors
Although the efficiency of your cooling and heating equipment will have the greatest impact on your energy usage, other factors can help reduce energy costs.
Maintain Proper Humidity. When cooling during the warm humid months, you will feel more comfortable at a higher temperature if the humidity level in your home is kept at 40-60%. This will reduce the load on your equipment and can save up to 20% in cooling costs. The best way to reduce and control humidity in your home is with a variable speed indoor unit and a programmable thermostat.
Condition Only Occupied Rooms. Zoning or programmable thermostats can control your equipment according to your family's lifestyle and daily occupancy schedule. This allows you to eliminate the wasted energy of air conditioned areas in your home that are unused or unoccupied.
Keep Equipment Clean. Regularly scheduled professional maintenance is also crucial to maintaining your system's maximum efficiency. Your system should be checked twice a year prior to the summer and winter months.