Energy Calculator

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How efficient thinking adds up to big savings.

Heating and cooling can account for more than half of your home's total utility bill.* So when looking for ways to cut your energy costs, be sure to think about a high-efficiency system. How do you know if a heating or cooling system is efficient? Take a look at the yellow-and-black EnergyGuide label, which displays efficiency ratings for the product.

To see how efficiency ratings impact your annual energy costs, use the Energy Calculator below.

For U.S. and Canadian Residents

Instructions

  1. Click on the "Heating" or "Cooling" button on the calculator.
  2. Select your current AFUE (for Heating) or SEER (for Cooling) efficiency rating in the drop down box. The efficiency rating you select will be compared to a base heating or cooling system in your area of residence.**
  3. Lastly, use the drop-down menu to select the area where you live. This helps determine fuel and electricity rates, which vary by region. (Canadian provinces are listed at the bottom of the menu.)
Potential dollar savings are shown in the bottom half of the calculator.

Heating Efficiency

Furnaces are rated by the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) ratio, which is the percent of heat produced for every dollar of fuel consumed. AFUE works a lot like the miles-per-gallon rating on your car—the higher the rating, the lower your fuel costs.

Cooling Efficiency

The measure for the efficiency of air conditioners and heat pumps is the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER), which compares cooling output to electrical consumption over a range of temperatures. The higher the SEER, the less the unit will cost to operate.

*Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network, U.S. Department of Energy


**Air conditioner calculations are based on every $100 spent to cool a home using a 3- ton, 13-SEER unit. The criteria base for furnaces is a 60% AFUE unit, with a 50,000-Btuh heating load. Fuel rates and heating hours are factored into the calculation upon selection of a state or region. If a state is not selected, the calculator defaults to the US national average for fuel and electricity consumption. Actual costs and savings will vary depending on weather conditions, usage, location and local utility rates. This information is intended as an example for comparison purposes only.