We rarely spend much time thinking about our HVAC systems beyond checking to see what the thermostat is set at and doing our regular air filter maintenance. As your system gets older and starts having issues, though, it will start taking up more of your attention. If you do much research on installing a new HVAC system, you’ll no doubt see a lot about energy-efficient HVAC systems. Sometimes these discussions can get a little complicated, so the pros at HVAC Comfort have created this helpful guide to make the world of HVAC energy efficiency a little easier to navigate for White Lake, Commerce, Brighton, and other homeowners in surrounding cities.
What Is an Energy-Efficient HVAC System?
First, you’ll likely come across two main acronyms that relate to the energy-efficiency rating of a cooling or heating system: SEER and HSPF. There’s a little math associated with explaining these, but we promise it will be light!
SEER is associated with air conditioners. It stands for the seasonal energy efficiency ratio of a unit. Basically, a SEER rating tells you exactly how energy-efficient an air conditioner is. To determine an air conditioner’s SEER rating, a manufacturer takes the amount of cooling output during a normal season of cooling and divides it by the amount of energy the air conditioner uses. If the air conditioner uses a lot of energy, then the SEER number will be low, indicating that it’s not very efficient at doing its job of keeping you cool. The higher the number, the more efficient the unit is.
For heat pumps, you’ll either find a SEER rating or an HSPF rating, which is its heating seasonal performance factor. While the terms may be different, the equation is still essentially the same—the amount of heating output during a normal season divided by the amount of energy the unit uses to generate that heat.
In both cases, these ratings serve as a standardized measurement to identify energy-efficient HVAC systems, and they help homeowners make more informed decisions when choosing a new heating or cooling system.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued new energy-efficiency standards in 2023. For homeowners in Michigan, the minimum ratings are
- 14 SEER for air conditioners
- 15 SEER or 8.8 HSPF for heat pumps
Here’s an important thing to note, though: You are not required to replace an older system that is below these standards. They are merely the requirements for newly installed systems in and around Lake Orion, Milford, Brighton, and surrounding cities.
The most important thing to keep in mind, however, is this: When you need HVAC installation at your home in White Lake, West Bloomfield, Clarkston, or anywhere else in Oakland County, MI, HVAC Comfort has a team of skilled professionals who can give you all the information and support you need to make the best decision for your home and budget.
What Are the Benefits of Having an Energy-Efficient HVAC System?
High HVAC energy efficiency can have a positive impact in a number of ways. An energy-efficient system can
- Reduce your energy bills
- Make your home more comfortable
- Increase your airflow
- Improve your indoor air quality
- Last longer
- Increase your home value
- Decrease your carbon footprint
If it’s time for you to install a new HVAC system in your Oakland County home — whether you’re in Independence Twp, Commerce, White Lake, or anywhere in between — call HVAC Comfort first. Our certified HVAC technicians can take the guesswork out of selecting the right system for your home. They’ll make sure you have all the information you need to make a decision that gives you peace of mind.
Are There Other Ways to Increase the Energy Efficiency of My HVAC System?
Installing a new HVAC system would make the biggest difference in terms of energy efficiency, but there are other ways to ensure your current system is running as efficiently as possible:
- Install smart thermostats. These automatically adjust the temperature in your home based on when you’re there or away, and they’re connected to WiFi, which gives you the ability to control them using an app—no matter where you are.
- Install programmable thermostats. These thermostats don’t have remote capabilities, but you can program them to operate at different temperatures throughout the day.
- Check your air filters regularly. This is a simple and powerful way to ensure your system can keep running efficiently. A dirty air filter can decrease your indoor airflow, the cooling capabilities of your unit, and your indoor air quality. It can also increase your energy bills and the wear and tear on your system.
- Schedule regular seasonal AC maintenance or inspections. HVAC Comfort’s team of professionals can help you keep your system running as efficiently as possible. You can count on our team to take care of your regular AC maintenance and provide thorough inspections that can help identify any minor issues before they become big (and costly) problems. We offer furnace and AC maintenance services.
Ready for Energy-Efficient HVAC Installation with HVAC Comfort?
HVAC Comfort has been providing exceptional, trusted HVAC services to homeowners in Oakland County and Livingston County for over 20 years. We offer a full range of HVAC services near you, from AC maintenance to furnace installation and everything in between. Count on us to help you keep your family feeling comfortable and breathing easy at home, starting with new HVAC installation using energy-efficient equipment.
Written By: HVAC Comfort Team