How Does AFUE Affect Your Home’s Cooling During the Summer?

When looking at your HVAC equipment or shopping for new equipment, you might have noticed the term AFUE on furnaces. AFUE, or Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, refers to the fuel efficiency of forced-air furnaces.

AFUE and AC

AFUE doesn’t affect your home’s cooling. This rating is used for furnaces that have met the fuel-efficiency requirements set by the Federal Trade Commission. A higher AFUE rating indicates that a forced-air furnace is better at turning gas, oil, or other fuel into heat for your home. Keep in mind that only part of the heat generated by your furnace makes it into your home. AFUE lets you know how much of it warms your home up and how much is wasted.

SEER Ratings

While AFUE ratings don’t affect cooling in your Lorain home, air-conditioning systems have their own efficiency rating. SEER, or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating, refers to the efficiency of central AC systems and heat pumps when it comes to cooling homes. Just as with AFUE ratings, a higher SEER rating indicates better energy efficiency. In many cases, SEER ratings range from 13 to 21.

How high should your AC system’s SEER rating be to efficiently cool your home as much as possible? This depends on different factors, such as the size of your home and how cool you plan on keeping it. Keep in mind that there are other ways to cool your home efficiently besides a high SEER rating. Changing HVAC filters, turning the thermostat up when no one will be home, and using ceiling fans are all ways to help your AC system use less energy to keep your home cool.

If you’re looking for more information on AFUE and SEER, please contact Energy 1 Heating and Cooling. Our HVAC experts in Lorain can help you understand how your HVAC equipment is able to heat and cool your home. We can also provide you with tips on increasing your home’s energy efficiency through your HVAC system.