How To Choose The Correct Heating and Cooling System

Warranty

There are three types of Heating and Cooling warranties. One is the extended coverage, which can increase the overall cost of the system. This coverage will increase the coverage from 5 or 10 years for parts to a predetermined time. The second type of warranty does not cost any extra money. Out of the box, most HVAC equipment come with a 5-year parts warranty. Once the system has been registered, the parts warranty will be extended to 10 years. Some HVAC equipment will come with a limited parts warranty that is dependent on the level of efficiency of equipment installed. The higher efficient systems can have a limited lifetime warranty on the furnace or compressor.

SEER, “Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating”

The SEER acronym refers to the energy consumption rate of the HVAC system. Depending on what climate zone you live in will determine the efficiency minimums. SEER 14, 15, and 16 are a very common efficiency rating. Gas Furnaces have a different rating acronym.

AFUE, ”Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency”

Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency refers to how efficient the furnace will process the heat generated. 80% AFUE is a common entry level of the efficiency, and 96% is a higher efficient furnace.

Ton

The HVAC tonnage refers to how much heating and cooling capacitance your HVAC can create. The typical minimum of a HVAC system is 1.5 tons. The increments of the HVAC system will be in .5 tons. Two speed system will vary per manufacturer. Furnaces have a different unit of measurement.

BTU’s, “British Thermal Units”

Propane and Natural gas furnaces use the BTU’s unit of measurement to describe how much heat it will generate.