HSPF, AFUE and SEER Ratings: Explained.

AFUE, HSPF and SEER are all energy efficiency ratings given to heating and air conditioning units. While units may seem similar their SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating) can vary quite a bit. The higher the SEER rating the more money you will ultimately save on electricity. The current minimum standard SEER rating according to the EPA is a 13, which uses 23% less energy than a 10 SEER unit, which was the standard prior to January 2006. While 13 is the minimum SEER rating available on new systems, the ratings go all the way up to 21.

HSPF, or Heating Seasonal Performance Factor, ratings measure the heating efficiency in heat pumps and furnaces. Like SEER, the higher rating means higher energy savings. The current EPA scale range for HSPF is 7.5 to 13.

AFUE, or Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, measures how efficient the HVAC system is over the course of an entire year. Today's new high-efficiency units can save up to 50% in operating costs when compared to a ten-year-old furnace. Units prior to 1990 typically have an AFUE of 65% or less. As of May first this year all non-weatherized furnaces in the Northern U.S. states (Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming) will have a required AFUE rating of 90% or higher, for everyone else the requirements are as follows:

PRODUCT CLASS	MINIMUM AFUE RATING
Non-weatherized gas furnaces (not including mobile home furnaces)	80%
Mobile home gas furnaces	80%
Non-weatherized oil-fired furnaces (not including mobile home furnaces)	83%
Mobile Home oil-fired furnaces*	75%
Weatherized gas furnaces	81%
Weatherized oil-fired furnaces*	78%
Electric furnaces*	78%

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