How to Understand Energy Efficiency Ratings

Most people who want to save energy in the home know that they are supposed to look for the Energy Star Rating on any appliances that they purchase. These appliances are more energy-efficient than the federal minimum standards required for appliances. Just buying one of these helps you save money on energy bills compared to your use of older appliances. However, if you really want to get the right appliances then you need more than just the name "Energy Star" in your mind. You also need to really understand what the energy efficiency ratings mean on each appliance.

Here’s a guide to some of the most common energy efficiency ratings that you’ll see when buying appliances:

• Energy Efficiency Rating (EER). This is the most standard and straightforward rating that you’ll find. It rates the energy efficiency of items like room air conditioners. The higher the rating, the more efficient the air conditioner is. Select the highest rating possible for the size of room air conditioner that you need in your home.


• Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER). This is similar to the energy efficiency rating but instead of providing year-round efficiency information it provides you with information about the rate of efficiency during the cooling season. It is used as a rating for central air conditioners as well as central air-to-air heat pumps. It is recommended that you select a SEER rating of 12 or higher if you want an energy-efficient appliance.


• Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF). This is an efficiency rating that is given to heat pumps. The higher the HPSF number, the more efficient the heat pump will be. This is important to consider if you live in a cool climate where you will use this often.


• Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE). This number measures the efficiency of natural gas and oil heating systems. The number that you want to look for on an Energy Star product is AFUE = 90.

In addition to these numbers, it is important for you to know about a rating called the Energy Factor (EF). This rates the efficiency of dishwashers and washing machines. The number reflects the number of complete cycles that a machine will operate while using one kWh of electricity. Energy Star ratings require that dishwashers have an EF of at least 0.52 and clothes washers have an EF of at least 3.5.

As a general rule, you want to look for acronyms like these and select the highest one for the size of energy efficient appliance that you need.

Source: http://www.doityourself.com/stry/energyratings