The Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) of a particular cooling device is the ratio of output cooling (in BTU/h) to input electrical power (in watts) at a given operating point. EER is generally calculated using a 95 °F outside temp and an inside (actually return air) temp of 80 °F and 50% relative humidity. The EER is a more realistic measurement of energy efficiency in warmer climates due to the high demand and higher cost of peak hour electricity.
The SEER rating of a unit is the cooling output during a typical cooling-season divided by the total electric energy input during the same period. The higher the unit's SEER rating the more energy efficient it is. In the U.S., the SEER is the ratio of cooling in British thermal unit (BTU) to the energy consumed in watt-hours.
BTU, which stands for British Thermal Unit, is a measure of heat energy. One BTU corresponds to the amount of thermal (heat) energy required to heat one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit.
BTUs work in reverse, too. That is, a BTU measures the amount of energy required to lower the temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit. HVAC professionals use BTUs to measure the cooling capacity of an air conditioning system,. The higher the BTU measurement, the more powerful the air conditioner is.
The CORRECT answer is: 1 ton of air conditioning = 12,000btu`s of cooling per 1 hour. i.e. 2 ton = 24,000 btu`s of heat removed in 1 one hour, 3 ton - 36,000 and so on.
Stage one is when the furnace is exerting its lowest heating capacity. In many cases, this may only be about 50 percent of what it's capable of producing. During stage one, the motor of the furnace is not running at full blast. Instead, a steady, but gentle airflow can be felt.
Stage two is when the furnace is giving its all and running at full blast. During stage two, the motors kick into high speed, forcing air through the ductwork and vents faster and with a stronger airflow.
The term "variable speed" refers to the furnaces indoor blower motor, which moves at different speeds to precisely control the flow of heated and cooled air throughout your home. Variable speed motors can actually save you money on your energy bills, as they consume less electricity than standard motors. Variable speed technology also means you will gain heating efficiency or AFUE.
The letters AFUE stand for “annual fuel utilization efficiency.” This is a rating that measures how efficiently your furnace, boiler, or water heater uses energy to provide you with a comfortable temperature.
Modern heating systems have high AFUE ratings. The US Department of Energy requires that all furnaces sold in the country must have an AFUE of at least 78%—and most electric and natural gas furnaces score higher than that. Boilers also are required to have high AFUE, and most new ones have AFUE of 85% or better. To help you grasp how efficient that is, consider that the AFUE of burning conventional firewood is only 45% to 55%!
Master Mechanical can arrange for the SAME technician to help you each time you need service or preventative maintenance on your equipment. We focus on providing a personal relationship so you know the person coming into your home!
You may wish to consider replacing your heating and air conditioning system if it is old, inefficient or in need of repair. Today's systems are as much as 60% more efficient than those systems manufactured as little as ten years ago. In addition, if not properly maintained, wear and tear on a system can reduce the actual or realized efficiency of the system. If you are concerned about utility bills or are faced with an expensive repair, you may want to consider replacing your system rather than enduring another costly season or paying to replace an expensive component. The utility cost savings of a new unit may provide an attractive return on your investment.
If you have a qualified technician perform regular preventative maintenance and service suggested for your unit, industry averages suggest that an air conditioner should last 12-15 years and a gas furnace should last as many as 20-25 years.