From AFUEs to BTUs – Energy Efficiency Acronym 101

We know today’s alphabet soup of energy efficiency acronyms can be confusing – so we’ve put together this simple guide for terms that can have an impact on your boiler, furnace, and air conditioning buying choices.

If you have any questions about these terms or any other home heating or cooling challenges you might have, just contact us!

• AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) – A measurement of how efficiently a furnace or boiler can convert fuel to energy over a complete heating season (higher AFUE rating = higher efficiency).
• BTU (British Thermal Unit) – The amount of heat or cooling needed to raise or lower the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit.
• BTUh (BTUs per hour) – The total number of BTUs produced by a heating or cooling unit in an hour (this is the number you often hear when describing the capacity of an air conditioner, for example). For reference, 12,000 BTUh is the equivalent of one ton of cooling.
• EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio) – The total amount of cooling output by an AC system divided by the electrical power input needed to produce it. When calculating EER, you typically assume a constant outside air temperature and 50 percent relative humidity. Compare to SEER below.
• HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor) – A measure of the efficiency of a heat pump system. HSPF is a ratio of heat output to electricity consumed over an average heating season (higher HSPF = higher efficiency).
• SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) – A measure of AC and heat pump efficiency over a single cooling season. SEER compares the total cooling output to the total electrical energy input needed during the same time frame (higher SEER rating = higher efficiency).

Want to know how to put these terms to work for you so you can save money and be more comfortable at home? Contact us today to learn more!