Printer Friendly Format
Check Your Heating and Cooling Equipment
- Check the efficiency rating label on your heating and cooling equipment.
- Look for a heat pump if you are using electricity. It is more efficient than an electric furnace or baseboard heating.
- Check your energy source. Natural gas, if available, is a good choice for heating fuel.
Target Efficiency Ratings
| Location | Southern Region | Northern Region | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good | Great! | Good | Great! | |
| Gas Furnace (AFUE) | .80 | .83 | .83 | .90 |
| Oil Furnace (AFUE) | .80 | .83 | .83 | .86 |
| Heat Pump (HSPF) | 7.0 | 7.8 | 7.8 | 8.5 |
| Air Cond. (SEER) | 13 | 14 | 12 | 14 |
For more information on your home's heating and cooling equipment:
- The Heating and Cooling chapter of DOE's Energy Savers Booklet
- The article Sealing Up Your Home's Leaks in Home Energy Magazine
- Southface Institute's fact sheet on Choosing Heating and Cooling Equipment