|
Heat Pump
Air conditioners and heat pumps will often look identical in design, foot print, etc. A heat pump can be used instead of an air conditioning unit to keep your home comfortable all year long.
During the summer months, a heat pump draws heat out of your home to cool it. In the winter, it draws heat from outside air into your home to warm it (even though air may be cold in the winter, there is heat in the air and a heat pump system balances between this and using the furnace).
If you are located in an area where the winter temperature is usually 40 degrees or above, a heat pump can more efficiently heat your home than an electric furnace. However if your climate means cold weather below 40 degrees, a furnace is a better option.
Additionally, if you properly match a heat pump and gas furnace, they will offer the highest energy efficiency for winter months as the system will intelligently use the most efficient device based on the outside temperature. Heat pump efficiency is measured in SEER and HSPF.
Air Conditioner
A traditional home comfort system has two parts: an indoor unit, such as a furnace or air handler, and an outdoor unit. An air conditioner is the outdoor unit that cools air and sends it to the indoor unit for circulation through your home. Indoor and outdoor units are designed to work together.
When the air conditioner is properly matched with a furnace or air handler, you get maximum efficiency and longer system life. Air conditioning and cooling efficiency is measured using a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). A higher SEER means higher energy efficiency. The latest standard for minimum SEER is 13 (beginning January 2006).
Download a PDF about new government regulations regarding SEER ratings:
York SEER Update
|
