Since the HVAC industry uses so many acronyms, shopping for a new heating and cooling system can feel like you’re swimming in alphabet soup. In fact, even HVAC is an acronym for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. Today, a quick glossary of the most common acronyms is what we at Air Supply Heating & Air Conditioning would like to share today to help clear up the confusion with the many acronyms.

What Does SEER & Other Acronyms Stand for in HVAC?

SEER – Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. The SEER calculates an AC system’s cooling, which usually ranges from 13 to 22, over a typical cooling season divided by the energy it uses in Watt-Hours. The U.S. Department of Energy enforces minimum SEER standards, according to region. In comparison with new unit with the lowest available SEER would be a significant step up, many older cooling units have a SEER of 8 or less. For instance, the minimum requirement is 14 in the Vegas Valley. Making it the more comfortable you’ll be, the less you’ll pay in monthly cooling costs with the higher the SEER. With other ways to reduce energy consumption, like adding insulation, sealing windows, and using thermal curtains, you will save even more with combining this technology as well.
AFUE – Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. When it comes time for shopping for a new furnace, pay close attention to the AFUE since it will play a large role in your annual heating costs. What the AFUE ratio measures is how efficiently your heating system uses fuel. A furnace will have an AFUE of 85% if it converts 85% of fuel into heat for instance. By the U.S. Department of Energy, new furnaces are mandated to meet a minimum of AFUE of 80. Modern top-of-the-line models far exceed the minimum standard, fortunately. High-end heating systems achieve an AFUE of 95% and higher, leaving very little to waste.
HSPF – Heating Season Performance Factor. Measured with the HSPF, a heat pump’s heating performance. The higher the HSPF, the more efficient the unit’s heating mode. By the U.S. Department of Energy back in 2015, the minimum energy efficiency standard for heat pumps to 8. The rating you should be more concerned with is a heat pump’s SEER rating. Also, heat pumps provide heating and cooling comfort.
MERV – Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. Associated with the MERV rating is the air quality. Measured through an air filter’s performance is by how small of a particle it can capture. The higher the MERV is based on the smaller the particle. Disposable filters that have a MERV of 4 to 6 are inexpensive and capable of filtering out household dust and lint. It is primarily designed to protect your HVAC system from getting jammed up with debris. To improve your home’s indoor air, you will need a filter with a MERV of 8 to 13. With this MERV rating, contaminants such as lead dust, auto emissions, and even certain airborne bacteria can be filtered out. The tight mesh screen would restrict a residential HVAC system’s airflow, though the filters with MERV ratings at the high end of the scale are hospital-grade.

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For the acronyms commonly used in the HVAC industry, we hope this helped provide some understanding. For your HVAC contracting needs, call in the professionals of Air Supply Heating & Air Conditioning and let us assist you!