If you have had an energy audit performed on your Nederland, TX, home, the energy auditor may have recommended that you upgrade your home’s HVAC or water heater systems. Price alone should not determine which unit you should buy. While some units are cheap, they are not guaranteed to be efficient or work past their warranty. They are also not guaranteed to save you money on the utility bills. You should begin your search according to the energy efficiency ratings of the units being considered.
Your energy auditor will recommend high efficiency units for your home. He or she is not acting as a salesperson; they are recommending units that will save you money on your utility bills. Understanding the different energy efficiency ratings will help you locate the right unit for your Nederland, TX, home. Since some appliances are used only during part of the year, the ratings are given seasonally.
The first of the energy efficiency ratings belong to HVAC systems. It is called the SEER, or seasonal energy efficiency rating. A rating of 9 or 10 is considered low. Many units older than 10 years old are in this range. New construction standards require HVAC systems of 13 or higher to be installed in new construction. The ratings can go as high as 24; these are the most efficient units. The increased price is covered by the energy savings.
The second of the energy efficiency ratings your energy auditor will explain is the AFUE, or annual fuel utilization efficiency. It is given to fuel burning furnaces. The rating is expressed as a percentage. The higher the percentage, the more efficient the furnace is.
The third rating the energy auditor gives is to air source heat pumps and is also expressed as a ratio. It is the ratio of BTU’s over the heating season itself to the number of watt-hours of electricity used. Look for the highest rating available.
Thermacon Service Company, Inc. in Nederland, TX, can explain energy efficiency ratings and savings for these and other systems. They can send an energy auditor to your home to start the process of saving you money on your utility bills for years to come. Thermacon Service Company, Inc. is available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.
