When it’s time to upgrade the HVAC equipment in your home, the EnergyGuide label can help you comparison shop and make it easier to choose the most efficient, budget-friendly model with the features you need. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) mandates that equipment manufacturers place these bold yellow labels on central air conditioners, heat pumps, furnaces, boilers and other major household appliances.
Understanding EnergyGuide Labels
The details listed on EnergyGuide labels can help you compare the energy efficiency ratings and expected operating costs of different HVAC equipment models. Keep in mind that these figures are only estimates and that factors like quality, professional installation and ductwork condition can impact your actual costs.
What You’ll Find on an EnergyGuide Label
- Product information: Printed on the label’s upper right corner, you’ll find the manufacturer’s name, equipment size and model number. The equipment type and key features are listed on the opposite corner. This information is a valuable tool for making direct comparisons of different units.
- Energy efficiency rating: The middle section of the label contains different rating information depending on the type of equipment. Central A/Cs list the seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER), while heat pump labels include the SEER and the heating seasonal performance factor (HSPF). Furnaces and boilers display the unit’s annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) rating.
- Efficiency comparison: The linear scale below the efficiency rating shows you how the equipment stacks up against similar models.
- Estimated energy usage and costs: On the lower portion of the label, you’ll find the unit’s estimated yearly consumption in kilowatt-hours. To judge the annual operating costs, you can multiply this number by your electrical supplier’s energy rate.
- Energy Star logo: If the equipment is Energy Star-certified, its label will have the program’s logo in the bottom right corner. This tells you the unit has top quality efficiency features that can provide additional energy savings of up to 15 percent compared to a standard model.
To learn more about the EnergyGuide label and how to use it to compare HVAC equipment for your Yuma home, contact Hansberger Refrigeration and Electric Company.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Yuma, Arizona about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about EnergyGuide labels and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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