AFUE vs SEER: what does AFUE measure, and how does it differ from SEER?

AFUE vs SEER: what does AFUE measure, and how does it differ from SEER?

• A. AFUE measures cooling efficiency; SEER measures heating efficiency.
• B. AFUE measures energy efficiency of ventilation.
• C. AFUE measures heating efficiency; SEER measures cooling efficiency.
• D. AFUE and SEER measure the same thing.

Answer: (C)

AFUE measures heating efficiency; it tells you how effectively a furnace or boiler converts the fuel it uses into heat for the home. The rest of the fuel energy is lost through exhaust and other losses, which is why the percentage isn’t 100%. SEER, in contrast, measures cooling efficiency. It represents the seasonal cooling output relative to the electrical energy input for an air conditioner or heat pump, so a higher SEER means you get more cooling per unit of electricity. Since AFUE applies to fuel-based heating equipment and SEER to cooling equipment powered by electricity, they quantify different parts of a system and aren’t interchangeable.

AFUE measures heating efficiency; it tells you how effectively a furnace or boiler converts the fuel it uses into heat for the home. The rest of the fuel energy is lost through exhaust and other losses, which is why the percentage isn’t 100%. SEER, in contrast, measures cooling efficiency. It represents the seasonal cooling output relative to the electrical energy input for an air conditioner or heat pump, so a higher SEER means you get more cooling per unit of electricity. Since AFUE applies to fuel-based heating equipment and SEER to cooling equipment powered by electricity, they quantify different parts of a system and aren’t interchangeable.