Keeping comfortable in your home is important especially during the hotter months in the Valley of the Sun. With almost half the costs of your home energy bills stemming from keeping your house cool, a unit past its prime can be surprisingly costly. The typical outdated AC unit will lose 24% of its energy due to duct leakage, low refrigerant levels, and incorrect equipment sizing. When you want to save energy and money when it’s hot outdoors in Arizona, it just makes sense to invest in more energy efficient ENERGY STAR rated HVAC systems when you’re ready to replace your system.
ENERGY STAR Equipment Ratings
Since launching in 1992, ENERGY STAR products have saved over $300 billion on utility bills for homeowners and businesses. These products have also reduced greenhouse gas emissions by over two billion metric tons.
The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) issues ENERGY STAR labels to products that meet certain criteria. In order for an HVAC system or appliance to earn an ENERGY STAR rating, the product must meet or exceed certain minimum guidelines. The requirements are based on a wide variety of factors such as product cost, performance, and energy consumption. The rating means the products are generally 10 to over 30 percent more energy efficient than non-rated equipment.
Efficiency Ratings for Heating and Cooling Systems
Starting in 2023, when homeowners purchase a new HVAC system, the product must carry a SEER2 (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio 2) rating of no less than 14.3 in the south and southwest. These regions have higher minimum ratings due to using more AC than in other regions of the country. The higher the SEER2 rating, the higher the energy savings and efficiency to your bottom line.
Income Tax Credits
The great news is the new federal tax credits now provide up to $3,200 annually to reduce the cost to you for energy efficient home upgrades by up to 30 percent. These improvements, such as a new HVAC system, can help you save money on your monthly utility bills for many years to follow.
Bruce’s Knows HVAC Systems
The qualified technicians at your locally owned Bruce’s Air Conditioning & Heating are available year-round to help you determine the best HVAC system for your household. We’ll provide free estimates on the purchase and installation of a new system. Just call us today at 480-968-5652 to schedule your free quote on HVAC products from leading manufacturers for affordable cooling solutions Valleywide.
