Renovate America - HVAC primer:

Common HVAC Ratings and Certifications

When you're looking for a new energy-efficient HVAC system, you'll spot a variety of energy efficiency ratings on the units. To ensure you're getting the best system for your needs, it's worth knowing which systems are ranking better—that's key for getting the most out of your investment.

• AHRI: The Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute is an independent lab that provides objective, accurate SEER ratings for HVAC equipment. They're tasked with certifying that a manufacturer's efficiency claims are true.


• AFUE: This stands for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, which measures the efficiency of a gas furnace used to convert fuel to energy.


• EER: This stands for Energy Efficiency Ratio, which measures how efficiently your cooling system operates when the outdoor temperature reaches a specific level. The higher the rating, the more efficient the system.


• SEER: This stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, which measures the efficiency of air conditioning and heat pump cooling. The higher the rating, the more efficient the system. The federally regulated minimum SEER ratingis 13 or 14, but the ranking can go up to as high as 25.


• HSPF: This stands for Heat Seasonal Performance Factor, which measures the heating efficiency of heat pumps. The higher the HSPF rating, the more efficient the heat pump.


• MERV Rating: This stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting value, which is a standard used to rate the overall efficiency of air filters. The higher the MERV rating, the finer the filtration system. Better filtration is important, as it clears the air of contaminants that your family would otherwise be breathing in.


• NATE Certification: The NATE certification becomes important when you look to hire an HVAC technician. IT stands for North American Technician Excellence, which is a nonprofit certification program for HVAC professionals. Making sure your contractor has this certification helps ensure you're getting a qualified, skilled person for the job.

With these easy tips, you can learn how HVAC works for your family, leaving you better prepared to pick the right system for your home.