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Seasonal Energy Efficient Ratio (SEER) is “the total heat removed from the conditioned space during the annual cooling season, expressed in BTUs, divided by the total electrical energy consumed by the air conditioner or heat pump during the same season, expressed in watt-hours,” according to the Air-Conditioning Heating and Refrigeration Institute. Basically, it’s the heat removed compared to the energy used in the warm months – a measure of the efficiency of a cooling system. The higher the SEER rating, the better the system.

HSPF, or Heating Seasonal Performance Factor, is the ratio of BTU heat output and the watt-hours of electricity used over the heating season. BTU is a measurement of energy efficiency of an appliance: how much heat is required to raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit. So, an HSPF rating compares how much heat a heater produces, to how much energy it uses. The higher the percentage, the more efficient the product. HSPF can range from 6.8 to 10. The lowest HSPF rating for a heatpump to be considered ENERGY STAR rated is 8.2 for single package units and 8.5 for split systems.

What’s the difference between single, two-stage, and variable speed compressors? Single-stage compressors have one output speed – high. Two-stage compressors operate most often at about 65% of total capacity, but full capacity during extreme temps. A variable-speed compressor has a fan motor that can move at different speeds and controls the amount of air dispersed in a home.

A single-stage unit may offer the lowest initial investment, but it can cause high monthly energy bills. A two-stage unit is quieter and more efficient, while variable speed units are the most intelligent on the market and can save you big on energy costs over their lifetime.