How do I compare energy efficiency of different brands or models of equipment?
All air conditioning and heating equipment sold in the U.S.A. has a government rating to provide the consumer with a means of comparison. For air-conditioning systems the rating is SEER or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, put simply the higher the rating number the less it will cost you to operate. Fuel burning appliances will have an AFUE rating, i.e. Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, also the higher the number the more efficient the furnace. Finally on the heat pump side you will see COP ratings, i.e. Coefficient of Performance, also the higher the number the better. COP for your heat pump is in most cases tied directly to the SEER rating of the cooling side of your heat pump, so the higher the SEER usually the higher the COP.
