In 2006, the Federal Government made it mandatory for all central air conditioning systems to have a minimum SEER of 13. SEER, or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, is a measure of the cooling system’s performance. On the highest end of performance, cooling units are rated as high 23 SEER. As with anything, the better performance, the higher the cost. For a system with moderate to good efficiency, you should look for a model with a SEER rating of between 14 and 18. The EER, or the Energy Efficiency Rating, provides an indication of the cooling capacity of the system that you’ve had installed. The higher the EER number, the better the system’s cooling capacity.

If you have an air conditioning system that requires the old type of refrigerant, R-22, your system is still usable but only reclaimed or recycled R-22 can be used to service your air conditioner. R410-A is now the required standard for newer systems and has less environmental impact relative to the older refrigerant. Eventually, you will need to replace your air conditioner with one that uses R410-A, or have it modified so that it can use R410-A. The type of refrigerant your AC uses is only one of many reasons to consider upgrading, and if your existing unit is outdated, now might be a good time to look into having it replaced to boost energy efficiency, lessen environmental impact, and make sure you are operating a safe system. Not only will an upgraded cooling system make it easier to have your unit serviced, but it’ll also save you money on your annual cooling costs. Loren's Heating & Air in Salem, OR, offers the highest quality air conditioner replacement services.

Furnace energy efficiency is calculated with the AFUE, or the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency rating. The AFUE is a rating that compares how much heat a furnace will produce relative to the amount of energy necessary to produce the heat. If a furnace is rated at 85 percent AFUE, it means 15 percent of the energy used is lost and 85 percent actually becomes heat for your home or business.

Indoor air quality, or IAQ, is a measurement of the amount of airborne particles and pollutants inside your home or building. Because properties are being constructed to be more energy efficient, they are also becoming more airtight, meaning that fresh air often does not have a way to enter and circulate. This is one of the reasons why the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that indoor air can be 2 to 5 times more polluted than outdoor air, leading to a host of allergy and respiratory issues. Fortunately, IAQ products such as air filters, air purifiers, and humidifiers work in conjunction with your central AC and heating unit to decrease the prevalence of dust, dander, bacteria, viruses, mold spores, and other potentially harmful particles in your indoor air. Our team can work with you to find the right solution to fit your needs.