Just about every type of mechanical system or unit comes with a rating that tells you how much energy the device will use or how the device is expected to perform in terms of fuel usage. For air conditioners, this rating is known as SEER: seasonal energy efficiency ratio. Technically SEER is a rating that describes the ratio of cooling in BTUs to the amount of energy that is consumed; the energy consumed is measured in watt hours. However, you won’t have to worry about being this technical. What you have to know is a) what the scale is and b) what the numbers mean, and the experts at Downtown Air & Heat can help with that.
Downtown Air and Heat Blog : Posts Tagged ‘High Efficiency Systems’
What Is SEER and Why Is It Important?
Monday, June 8th, 2015Why Consider a High Efficiency AC System?
Friday, February 27th, 2015Have you been looking for a way to significantly lessen the amount of energy you use annually for your home’s air conditioning? Are you in need of a new AC installation and have energy efficiency as a top priority? Then you may want to consider the installation of a high efficiency AC system in your Altamonte Springs home. What makes a high efficiency AC system different from other AC systems? The main difference is that high efficiency systems have SEER ratings of no less than 16 – a full 3 levels higher than the federally-mandated minimum SEER of 13. But proper installation, repair and maintenance is critical to enjoying the energy efficiency you can achieve with a high efficiency AC system, and this is where Downtown Air & Heat comes in. Our trained and certified AC specialists can help you with all of your air conditioning needs, so call us today!
Understanding SEER
Just as combustion heating systems are rated by AFUE, air conditioning systems are rated by SEER numbers. SEER stands for seasonal energy efficiency ratio, and it is a scale that tells you how energy efficient a given air conditioning system will operate. All air conditioners must be manufactured at a SEER rating of 13, as this has been the federal law since 2006. The SEER scale runs from 1 to 23, and for an AC system to qualify as high efficiency, it must have a SEER rating that is no less than 16. SEER is important because it tells you that a particular AC will cool your home the same as another, but the AC with the higher SEER rating will cool your home using less energy. However, high efficiency does typically come with a higher initial price tag. So where does the savings come in? With your monthly energy use. According to Energy.gov, every SEER point higher on the SEER scale can save you up to 10% on your annual cooling costs. This means that if you replace an existing AC system with a SEER of 11 with a high efficiency system with a SEER of 16, you can save up to 50% on your annual cooling costs.
Consult with a Professional
Is a high efficiency AC system in Altamonte Springs for you? The best way to assess how a high efficiency system can benefit you is to sit down with a Downtown Air & Heat expert and review the numbers. Call us today, and schedule an appointment with one of our AC experts!
Benefits of High Efficiency Heating Systems in Orlando, FL
Thursday, February 6th, 2014The most exciting recent advance in indoor heating technology is the development of special high-efficiency systems that make maximum use of their fuel supply while returning exceptional levels of warmth. The U.S. Department of Energy recognizes superior efficiency heating systems with the ENERGY STAR label. But many heaters go even beyond the DOE’s requirements.
We’ll show you the benefits of a high-efficiency heating installation in Orlando, FL. If you have more questions, talk to our NATE-certified technicians at Downtown Air & Heat today.
How a high-efficiency heater benefits you (and the planet)
The most common kind of high-efficiency heating system is the condensing furnace. Instead of using a single heat exchanger, a condensing furnace uses two: the second exchanger harnesses the liquid vapor exhaust from the first exchanger and condenses it, releasing further heat and reducing the amount of energy waste. The tiny amount of exhaust remaining then goes up a flue made of plastic, which is much smaller than the standard exhaust flue.
Here’s how much a difference this makes in fuel use: Where a standard weatherized gas furnace has an AFUE rating of 81% (according to the U.S. Department of Energy), a condensing furnace can score anywhere from and AFUE of 90% all the way up to 98.5%—which means only 1.5% of the fuel ends up as waste.
How much can you save with a high-efficiency furnace? Using a hypothetical situation of moving from a 79% AFUE furnace to a 97% AFUE condensing furnace, a homeowner can save approximately $400 per year off heating costs. High-efficiency furnaces cost more to install, but at this level of savings, the furnace will pay for itself in around five years. With a life expectancy close to 20 years, the furnace will end up providing tremendous savings.
Another benefit to consider: a high-efficiency furnace is better for the environment. Because these furnaces use up almost all of their natural gas fuel supply, exhaust emissions are reduce to a minimum. That means less greenhouse gases released to the atmosphere.
See if a high-efficiency furnace will work for you
Even with the potential savings of high-efficiency furnaces, there are a few caveats. First, as mentioned above, they cost more to install. Second, they require special attention for maintenance. You should have regular maintenance for any furnace, but it’s especially important for condensing furnaces in order for them to maintain efficiency. Third, depending on your home, a high-efficiency furnace may not be your ideal heating choice. Always consult with HVAC experts before you make a decision for new heating installation.
Call our high-efficiency systems experts Downtown Air & Heat to talk about the possibilities for installing one of these systems in your home. We can take care of your heating installation in Orlando, FL… whatever system will work best for you.
