When considering replacing your heating system, you should know some terms that can help you choose the right furnace or heat pump for your Dayton area home. You’ll want a product that will balance affordability with comfort and energy efficiency.
- AFUE. The annual fuel utilization efficiency rating measures how much fuel gets converted into heat in a gas-fired furnace. In all gas fuel systems, some fuel escapes through the exhaust gases. A higher AFUE rating means that more fuel is used to heat your home. The federal minimum AFUE rating is 78 percent. A high-efficiency furnace has an AFUE rating of at least 90 percent.
- Energy Star. The Energy Star logo is affixed to enegy-using products that meet or exceed U.S. Department of Energy efficiency guidelines. Products that cost more than a less efficient counterpart must allow the owner to recover some or all of the cost through savings on utility bills. Look for the Energy Star when shopping for furnaces, heat pumps, air conditioners and hot water heaters, among many other products.
- Heat pump. An air-source heat pump, the most common variety, functions as both a heater and an air conditioner. Using the principle of refrigeration, the heat pump will pull warm air from the home in the summer, depositing it outside, and pull warmth from the air outside in the winter and bring it inside. During the winter, it draws heat from the outside air and brings it inside.
- Programmable thermostat. These devices can be programmed to change the temperature on a daily or weekly schedule. This can increase energy efficiency by raising or lowering the temperature at times when the house will be unoccupied.
- Variable speed blower motor. These blowers will adjust their speed according to the heating demands of your home. They usually run at a slower, more continuous speed for more even heating, better air filtration and reduced energy costs. They’re also quieter than standard furnace blowers.
- Zoning. Zoning refers to separating the home into independent heating and cooling zones for increased efficiency and comfort.This is another option that will increase the efficiency of your heating system.
Knowing what these heating and air conditioning system terms mean can help you make an informed decision when it’s time to replace your existing system. For more questions about replacing your heating system or any other HVAC-related question, please contact us at Ace Hardware Home Services, Inc.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Dayton, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about heating systems and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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