How To Tell If Your Heater Is Energy Efficient
By Air-Master Heating & Air Conditioning
As we head into the fall and winter seasons, it is important to ensure your heating system is working properly and efficiently. Your heating unit is an essential component of your home, but also one of the most expensive, energy utilizing appliances. The more energy the system uses, the less efficient it becomes. In this blog, we will discuss the benefits of an energy efficient heating system in Bedford and how to identify efficiency!
Why Is Energy Efficiency Important?
Anywhere energy is used, there is an opportunity for efficiency improvement. Heating and cooling systems make up a significant portion of the United States energy usage, as well as your personal utility bills. Many heating units release harmful emissions into the environment due to the amount of energy used. Ensuring your heating unit is energy efficient helps reduce pollution and energy waste. Together, we can lower Bedford’s carbon footprint!
What Are The Benefits Of Heating Efficiency?
Not only do energy efficient heating systems help the environment, but benefit you and your home as well! Below are 3 benefits efficient heating systems in Bedford can provide.
- Lower Utility Bills. The less energy used, the more you save on heating costs.
- Longer Unit Lifespan. Efficient units have fewer cycles, which decreases wear and tear. The less strain, the longer your unit will heat your home.
- Fewer Repairs. Units using less energy experience less strain and workloads. This results in fewer broken parts and needed repairs.
Is My Heating Unit Energy Efficient?
An efficient heating system helps keep your home comfortable, bills low, and unit reliable. But how exactly do you know if your heating unit is energy efficient? Here are 3 ways to tell if your heating system is using more energy than needed.
- Determine Efficiency Rating
- Consider Unit’s Age
- Compare Heating Bills
Determine Efficiency Rating
Locating efficiency ratings is the best way to determine if your heating unit is energy efficient. Different heating units use different efficiency ratios, such as AFUE and HSPF.
Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating is mainly used for furnaces. The AFUE ratio is the percentage of heat produced for every dollar of fuel consumed. The higher the AFUE ratio, the more efficient and lower fuel costs. High efficiency furnaces usually rate 90% or more. You can find your unit’s AFUE ratio in the user’s manual or a sticker on the furnace.
Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) is mainly used for heat pumps in heating mode. Generally, heat pumps are more efficient than furnaces. The higher the HSPF rating, the more efficient the heat pump. An efficient heat pump usually rates between 8 and 10. This rating can be found on a sticker on your unit.
Related Article: 3 Benefits Of Purchasing A Heat Pump System
If you are unable to locate your heating unit’s rating, give one of our expert technicians a call!
Consider Unit’s Age
Most heating units last around 15 years, depending on the type of unit. Even with the best care, heating units lose efficiency with age. On average, heating efficiency declines 5% every year. If your heating unit is older, replacement could be the best option to increase efficiency and reduce heating costs.
Compare Heating Bills
If your system is using large amounts of energy, your heating bills will show it. Energy efficiency can be a significant or slow change over time, which is why it is important to be aware of your energy costs. If your heating bills are significantly higher than last year or last month, your heating unit is not maximizing energy efficiency.
To prevent high energy bills in Lawrence County this winter, consider the efficiency of your system! Our expert technicians can help identify unit efficiency and perform maintenance to improve it. We can help save your heating system energy and keep money in your pockets. To schedule heating maintenance in Bedford and surrounding areas, give us a call!
Related Article: 5 Tips To Lower Your Heating Bill This Winter
