Energy Star Symbol
With every major appliance in your home from washer and dryer to air conditioner, today’s appliances are all expected to be energy efficient. Most commonly recognized in North America is the Energy Star symbol that allows consumers to know they are buying energy efficient products. In order to have the Energy Star symbol, products must meet technical specifications for energy performance, tested and certified. Whichever type of home appliance or equipment, be sure to only buy those which meet the set specifications and are energy efficient.
SEER Rating
SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) is the rating that a consumer should understand when buying air conditioners. The SEER rating measures efficiency for the cooling of air conditioners and heat pumps. The minimum SEER rating for air conditioners sold is 13. At Pro Ace we carry Trane air conditioners which have a SEER rating of 16 which is among the highest rating.
AFUE Rating
AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) is the rating which measures efficiency for gas and oil furnaces. It measures how much of the energy is wasted when the furnace is operating. If a furnace is 90% energy efficient, 90% of the energy used goes towards heat, while wasting 10%. The minimum AFUE rating in Canada is 91% efficient in furnaces. We recommend over 95% Some older furnaces have a AFUE rating as low as 60% which compared to 97% efficiency 37 % more energy is wasted.
Both air conditioning and heating equipment are important purchases for home owners. Before investing in either, you can give our office a call and we can recommend the best choice for you and your home.