Central Air Conditioning and Heating Systems for Lower Utility Bills - 3 Important Criteria

In the U.S. almost all of the new homes constructed are installing central air conditioning and heating systems. The systems also have great filters and dehumidifiers which are helpful for asthmatics and allergy sufferers. The new systems keep the rooms at a comfortable temperature throughout the day and are more energy efficient than ever before. The energy efficiency of the newer systems is so great that people are realizing they will save so much money in the long run by investing in a new system for their older homes as well. Whether you are getting a central air conditioning and heating system for a new or older home, be sure to understand these 3 important criteria.

1) BTUs (British Thermal Units)

To have your central air conditioning and heating system operating at its' most efficient it is imperative that you get the right size unit for your home.Every air conditioner has a cooling capacity number which is its' BTU (British Thermal Units) value. The higher the BTU value,the stronger the air conditioner. However it's not efficient to automatically get the unit with the most BTUs. It is actually possible for a unit to be too powerful. If you buy a unit that's too large you could be throwing money away. The smaller the area, the fewer BTUs are needed. Normally 12,000 BTUs are needed for each 1,000 square feet of well insulated space. If the space is not well insulated then 12,000 BTUs are needed for every 400 square feet of space. If the ceilings are extremely high, these numbers will change since the same area will take much longer to cool and heat. HVAC Contractors are well trained in knowing all factors to consider when deciding how many BTUs a unit must have for a specific home.

2) SEER Rating (The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio)

The SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating is the next important criteria to consider when you want a central air conditioning and heating system that helps you to have lower utility bills. The performance of your heating and cooling system is determined in a large part by your HVAC equipment's operating efficiency. The SEER rating of a unit is the cooling output in BTUs during a typical cooling/heating-season divided by the total electric energy input in watt hours during the same period. 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 higher the unit's SEER rating the more energy efficient it is. In the past it was normal for a central air conditioning and heating system to have a SEER rating of 7 to 11. But now with modern technology and vast improvements in energy efficiency expect to find SEER ratings of 13.

3) ENERGY STAR

The ENERGY STAR is one more criterion which your central air conditioner and heating system should have. The ENERGY STAR certifies that the system consumes less energy than other models. ENERGY STAR is the tried and true, government-backed symbol for energy efficiency. The Energy Star was developed to assist the public in saving money and working towards protecting the environment through energy saving features and practices.

Products gain the ENERGY STAR label by reaching requirements set forth in ENERGY STAR product specifications for energy efficiency. The EPA establishes these specifications based on key principles such as the contribution of energy savings, consumer demanded features and verifiable energy consumption and performance.