The performance of your cooling and heating system is determined in a large part by your HVAC equipment’s operating efficiency. Each “matched system” – an outdoor compressor bearing unit that matches with an indoor unit – is tested and awarded an Energy Efficiency Rating, sort of like a miles per gallon (mpg) rating for your car. The more cooling/heating a system puts out for each unit of energy it consumes, the higher rating it will receive.  The higher the efficiency rating of your system, the less energy it will consume…that means lower utility bills and less of an impact on the environment. Also, utility companies will often compensate homeowners to the tune of hundreds of dollars to install high-efficiency systems.  Use our Rebate Finder to see what rebates are available to you when you install a high efficiency system. For air conditioners, this metric is called a SEER rating, Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio.  Higher the SEER ratings mean greater efficiency.

As of January 2006, the federal government mandates that all new central air conditioning equipment be at least SEER-13, but there is equipment available rated as high as SEER-18 and even SEER-23 . ACDoctor urges you to install an air conditioning system that is at least SEER-16, especially if you live in the Sunbelt where air conditioning systems run most often. Use our Cooling Calculator to see the impact on your wallet and your environmental footprint that higher SEER air conditioning can have for you.ac unit window frame A homeowner in Florida who installs an 16 SEER system can save $2,070 in operating costs over the lifespan of their system and will prevent nearly 30,000 pounds of Green House Gases from being released into the atmosphere, the equivalent of removing 3 cars from the road each year or planting 4 acres of forest.central air conditioning units description

*Assumes 2,985 cooling hours, a 16 SEER 3 ton versus a 13 SEER 3 ton unit,  electricity cost of $0.1113/kWh, & an operating life of 12 years. Amazingly, one in four furnaces in U.S. homes today is more than 20 years old and should be replaced with new high-efficiency systems. The Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) is the most widely used measure of a furnace’s efficiency.  This is the measurement of the percentage of heat delivered to your house from each unit of fuel.average cost of replacing ac unit Standard systems might have an AFUE of 80%, which means the furnace converts 80% of the fuel it burns in to heat for your home while the other 20% is lost out of a chimney. High-efficiency furnaces can be over 95% AFUE. Air Source Heat Pumps, often used in moderate climates to heat and cool a home, are rated by a Heating and Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) Heat Pumps use the difference between outdoor and indoor air temperatures to cool and heat your home much like standard air conditioners do. 

The difference is that Heat Pumps can cycle in both directions and can therefore provide cooling in the summer months and heating in the winter. High efficiency Heat Pumps have a higher Heating and Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) and use less energy than conventional models.Cooling (and heating) your home is one of the most costly portions of your energy bill. The Family Handyman has a tip for ensuring your air conditioner works as efficiently as possible. If your air conditioner isn't cooling the house quickly enough, it may need repair. Here's how to test it: To determine whether your air conditioner needs a tune-up, perform this easy test when your AC unit has been running for at least 15 minutes and the outdoor temp is above 80 degrees F. With a clean air filter in place, set a thermometer on the supply register that's closest to the inside cooling equipment. Keep it there for five minutes and note the temperature. Do the same thing at the return vent. The air coming out should be 14 to 20 degrees cooler than the air going in.

An air conditioner that's not cooling to those levels could be low on refrigerant or have leaks. A unit cooling more than 20 degrees could have a severe blockage.If you aren't sure whether your air conditioner is operating at full efficiency, give this test a try to find out. Hit the link for more tips on saving energy in the summer.How to Save Energy and Cut Cooling Costs | Enjoy cool comfort and savings When the temperatures in Florida go up, we all fight the urge to turn our thermostats down — way down. And in the coldest winter months, heating can cost even more than cooling. This guide will help you get the most comfort for your money and provide guidance for when you need to replace your air conditioner (A/C). When shopping for a new A/C system, we recommend buying a high-efficiency unit. It may cost more up front, but the unit will eventually pay for itself with the money you'll save on your electric bill. You can print out this comparison worksheet to determine the estimated payback period.

In most Florida homes, air conditioning accounts for approximately 50 percent or more of the annual electric bill. Here are some tips to start controlling your energy consumption. Keep your thermostat at 78° with the fan switch on "auto." Turn ceiling fans off when no one is in the room. Ceiling fans do not actually cool a room. They just make you feel cooler. Clean or change your A/C filter once a month. Maintain proper airflow through your system. Keep sunlight out during summer months. Check your A/C ducts for leaks. Consider buying a new A/C system. The older your A/C system is, the less efficient it is. This glossary of commonly used air-conditioning terms will make it easier to talk to your contractor. Straight cool system - An air-conditioning system that includes a cooling cycle only. Gas, oil, or electric strip heating may be included in straight cool systems. Strip Heating (or resistance heating) - A form of heating, where air is blown over electrically heated metal coils and circulated into the living space.