How to Choose an Energy-Efficient HVAC System
When you’re shopping for a new furnace, AC or heat pump, the brochures throw a lot of ratings and acronyms at you. Here’s what they mean and which ones matter for a home in the GTA.
The ratings
- AFUE (furnaces and boilers): the percentage of fuel turned into heat over a season. New gas furnaces in Ontario are high-efficiency, typically 95% to 98%.
- SEER2 (ACs and heat pumps): cooling efficiency under the current test standard. Higher means less electricity per unit of cooling.
- HSPF2 (heat pumps): heating efficiency over a season. For cold climates, also look at the rated capacity at -15°C or lower.
- ENERGY STAR: a quick way to filter for efficient models. Natural Resources Canada lists certified products on its ENERGY STAR Canada site.
Features that matter as much as the rating
Staging: single-stage equipment is either fully on or off. Two-stage and modulating (variable) equipment runs at lower output most of the time. That means steadier temperatures, quieter operation, better humidity control, and less wear from starting and stopping.
Variable-speed (ECM) blower: uses far less electricity than an old PSC motor, especially if you run the fan continuously for filtration.
Size it right
An oversized system wastes much of its efficiency by short-cycling. Ask your contractor for a heat-loss and heat-gain calculation, not a guess based on square footage or the old unit.
Don’t forget the rest of the system
Leaky or undersized ductwork, a poorly placed thermostat, or a clogged filter can cancel out a big chunk of what you paid for in efficiency. A good install looks at the whole system.
Where the money is best spent
In most GTA homes, the best value is a mid-to-high efficiency, two-stage furnace with a variable-speed blower, paired with a properly sized AC or heat pump. The very top-tier models make sense for larger homes, people planning to stay long-term, or homes moving toward electric heating.
Estimates for new installations are free and financing is available. See our heating, cooling and heat pump services, or contact us at 647-657-2977.
