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Heating and Cooling

Shopping Checklist - Check before you buy

In most cases, buying heating or cooling equipment represents a major purchase. So take time to shop carefully to get the best system for your home. Here are some areas you should take into consideration.

• Buying a window air conditioner
  
• Buying central air conditioning
  
• Buying a furnace
  
• Buying a heat pump

Buying a window air conditioner
If you're shopping for a window air conditioner, you should:

• Measure the room you want to cool. Note if the ceiling is higher than average.
  
• Have the exact measurements of the window opening. It might help to take a drawing of the window including measurements with you. Depending on the size of the unit, it may also need support on the outside to avoid too much strain on your window frames. For maximum operating efficiency, the air conditioner should fit tightly into its opening. To achieve this, most air conditioners have adjustable side panels. Before you buy a unit make sure you'll be able to install it properly.
  
• Check to see that you have a suitable electrical outlet, on a separate circuit nearby.
  
• Look at the EnerGuide label for the SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating, which tells you how efficiently the unit uses electricity. Air conditioners have SEER ratings from 10 to about 14. The higher the number, the more efficient the unit.
  
• Look for additional features such as two speeds. Often an air conditioner can run on low speed using about 50% of the energy for most of the time. A lower speed is usually quieter too.
  
• Buy a brand name you trust from a reputable dealer. Be sure to ask about the length of time your equipment is covered and what specific components are included under the warranty.

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Buying central air conditioning
If you're shopping for central air conditioning, you should:

• Get quotes from reputable dealers. The dealers should come to your home and assist you in choosing a unit that is the right size. Be sure to ask about the length of time your equipment is covered and what specific components are included under the warranty.
• Compare the SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) ratings. Typical SEER ratings range from 10 to 14, with the higher number representing the more efficient model.
• Compare the sound ratings of different units. Sound levels are measured in bels (similar to decibels), on a scale from 0 (a whisper) to 13 (painful). Air conditioners usually operate at 8 to 9 bels. Some can be below 7. This is actually quite a wide range, since 9 bels is 10 times louder than 8 bels.

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Buying a furnace
If you're shopping for a furnace, you should:

• Get quotes from reputable dealers. The dealers should come to your home and assist you in choosing a unit that is the right size. Be sure to ask about the length of time your equipment is covered and what specific components are included under the warranty.
  
• Check for the furnace's efficiency rating known as AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency). The higher the number, the better the efficiency. An AFUE of 80% means that 80% of the fuel is used to heat your home. An AFUE rating of 78% to 80% is "mid-efficiency" while 90% or higher is "high efficiency."

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Buying a heat pump
If you're shopping for a heat pump, you should:

• Determine what type of heat pump is best for your situation: air, ground, or water.
  
• Get quotes from reputable dealers. The dealers should come to your home and assist you in choosing a unit that is the right size. Be sure to ask about the length of time your equipment is covered and what specific components are included under the warranty.
  
• Compare the SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) ratings. Typical SEER ratings range from 10 to 14, with the higher number representing the more efficient model.
  
• Heat pumps also have heating efficiency ratings, indicated as an HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor). In general, the higher the HSPF rating, the less electricity the unit will use to cool or heat your home. An HSPF of 7.5 or higher is considered "high-efficiency". The maximum available is 10.0.
  
• Compare the sound ratings of different units. Sound levels are measured in bels (similar to decibels), on a scale from 0 (a whisper) to 13 (painful). Most heat pumps operate at 8 to 9 bels. Some can be below 7. This is actually quite a wide range, since 9 bels is 10 times louder than 8 bels.

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