What the Labels on Your HVAC Units Can Tell You
Many types of household appliances and equipment, including your HVAC system, have information stickers. So, why should you understand what the labels on your HVAC units can tell you? Well, for one thing, the data displayed can help you with warranty and service information, and additionally can help you save money on energy costs. Here’s a simple explanation about the technical information on HVAC system labels.
What Are the Types of Data on HVAC Unit Labels?
The government mandates that cooling and heating equipment meet construction, safety, and energy efficiency standards. These standards require manufacturers to place stickers with specific data in a spot on the equipment where the homeowner can view the information. Typically, this information includes:
- Manufacturer specifications such as model number, date of manufacture, and energy efficiency are usually detailed on a data sticker.
- Another label showing the install date and contractor details may be added at installation.
- After installation, separate service maintenance labels may be placed on the equipment by HVAC technicians.
Depending on the age of your HVAC system, all labels may not be present, and formats not standard. Recently passed legislation from the Federal Trade Commission now addresses this issue so that consumers get a range of factual information displayed on their equipment.
Energy Efficiency Labels
The Energy Labeling Rule now requires major home appliance makers to place a black and yellow EnergyGuide sticker on equipment. The label is fixed to central and portable air conditioners, furnaces, boilers, and heat pumps.
The model number, company responsible for making the equipment, significant features of the equipment, estimated annual operating costs, and estimated power use is detailed on the EnergyGuide data sticker.
How Homeowners Can Save on HVAC Running Costs
So, this is the good news about having EnergyGuide labels on heating and cooling equipment. The appliance data sticker gives an estimated annual power use and operating cost, so comparison shopping has never been easier. You can easily assess the purchase price of similar equipment with similar power outputs straight from the HVAC unit labels.
However, the final choice may not necessarily be decided on the lowest purchase cost of heating or cooling systems. You still have to consider the size of your home, solar passivity, the number of rooms to be heated, and any other impacts that may require a high-power output appliance. So, for example, an old timber home subject to draughts will probably need a higher heat output than a more modern, better sealed home. And there’s no getting away from the fact that the more energy an HVAC system uses, the higher the running costs are.
With the EnergyGuide sticker, you can at least do a better ‘apples to apples’ comparison on similar models with the power output you need. Remembering that the details are estimates, not actuals, you can make your own best guess on cost and power use based on your home’s unique requirements for HVAC use.
Maintenance Information on HVAC System Labels
Besides the EnergyGuide label, you can expect your HVAC service technicians to place service labels on the equipment. These stickers record the service date and recommended due date for the next service. Depending upon your local climate, HVAC preventative maintenance should be done once or twice a year.
If you live in a warm climate, only requiring air conditioning, then an annual service will be sufficient. However, if you live in a climate zone where summers are hot and winters bitterly cold, your HVAC system will get a good workout throughout these seasons. Maintenance is best done twice a year, once for the cooling equipment and once for the heating equipment. Place a service call with your HVAC contractor so that work can be done before the season begins.
The record of service that HVAC unit labels provide may be beneficial if you’re thinking of selling or renting your home at some stage. The data sticker assures potential buyers or renters that the house has been well maintained.
Get Expert Assistance from North Virginia HVAC Contractors
Briggs HVAC in North Virginia is an expert in HVAC installation and maintenance. If your heating and cooling appliances and equipment are missing labeling information, we can help find the details for you with a thorough maintenance inspection and research. Our highly experienced technicians have worked on many different HVAC systems. We will help you put in place service maintenance records and an annual plan that will give you peace of mind
If money is tight, we may be able to offer you monthly payment options, so contact us today for all your home heating and cooling needs.
