Due to increasing Federal energy regulations, the installation and repair standards of the HVAC industry have changed substantially in recent years. Instead of simply repairing a furnace or air conditioning system, HVAC technicians now have to replace numerous components to make a system compatible with newer products.
Air conditioning refrigerants are perfect examples of this shift. Until recently, most air conditioning systems operated with a refrigerant called R22, but due to increased energy regulations, the standard has changed to a new refrigerant called R410A. Many older air conditioning systems aren’t compatible with this new refrigerant, so several components need to be replaced, if not the entire system. Although the cost of replacing a heating or air conditioning system may be expensive, it’s an investment that will pay off in the long run because of the newer system’s higher efficiency and subsequent lower operating costs.
If you’re considering replacing your furnace or air conditioning unit, make sure you’re familiar with the following information:
• Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) determines the amount of heat delivered to your house compared to the amount of fuel you supply to your furnace. For example, a furnace with an AFUE rating of 80 will convert 80 percent of the fuel you supply to heat, while the remaining 20 percent is simply lost. Furnaces with an AFUE rating of over 90 not only give you more efficiency for your dollar, they can also make you eligible for a rebate. Rebate programs are often available from your city or local power supplier for high-efficiency systems.
• Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER) is a performance and energy efficiency rating that determines the effectiveness of central air conditioning systems. The values of the SEER rating system range from 6 to 23, with the higher values signifying higher efficiency. Currently, Federal regulations require a minimum SEER rating of 13 for new air conditioning system installations.
• Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) is the most commonly used measurement for the heating efficiency of heat pumps. The HSPF rating system functions on a scale of 1 to 10—as with the SEER rating system, a higher value signifies a higher efficiency. The minimum HSPF rating for new heat pump installations is 7.7.
• Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) is the industry-standard rating system used to determine the effectiveness of air conditioning filters. Typical ratings for filters fall somewhere between MERV 5 and MERV 12. Higher-rated filters pick up more (and smaller) particles than lower-rated filters.
Have your heating and air conditioning systems inspected annually. Schedule an inspection during a mild weather season so the inspector can check both your furnace and air conditioning systems on the same visit. Technicians have greater availability during the off-season.
Routine maintenance is crucial to the efficiency and longevity of your HVAC system’s performance. For each year you don’t maintain your system, its efficiency decreases by as much as five percent. Routine maintenance steps include regularly replacing air filters, having your ducts cleaned every two to five years, and routinely checking your outside condensing unit to ensure it isn’t clogged with leaves and debris.
