HVAC systems are essential for maintaining comfort and indoor air quality in buildings but are responsible for a large portion of your energy consumption and carbon footprint. That’s why knowing how to select and use them wisely is important. In this article, we will show you some of the most energy-efficient HVAC systems and how they function. Whether you need a new HVAC system or want to improve your current one, this article will help you learn more.
10 Most Energy-Efficient HVAC Systems
An HVAC system can help you control the temperature, humidity, and air quality of your indoor space. HVAC systems come in different types, such as split systems, heat pumps, ductless mini-splits, and packaged systems. Each type suits different buildings, depending on their size, climate, and energy requirements. The SEER, EER, HSPF, and AFUE ratings indicate how energy-efficient an HVAC system is. The higher these ratings are, the less electricity the system uses to cool or heat your space.
We have created a list of some of the most energy-efficient HVAC systems.
Amana
Amana is a leading HVAC brand with over 80 years of history. It offers energy-efficient systems with high SEER ratings and variable-speed compressors, which provide optimal cooling and heating, lower energy costs, and more comfort. Some of its best models are ASXC7, ASXV9, and AVXC20 with ComfortNet™ Control, which is a smart thermostat that lets you remotely manage your system and access diagnostics and alerts. They are suitable for various buildings and climates, depending on their size and capacity.
The table below shows the specifications and features of each model
| Model | ASXC7 (2 To 5 Tons) | ASXV9 (2 To 5 Tons) | AVXC20 (2 To 5 Tons) |
| SEER2 | Upto 17.2 | Upto 22.5 | Upto 24.5 |
| Compressor Type | Two-Stage Copeland Ultra-Tech scroll compressor | Variable-speed swing and scroll compressors | Variable-speed swing and scroll compressors |
| Valve Connection Type | Sweat | Front Seated and Ball Valve | Front Seated and Ball Valve |
| Motor Type | Quiet two-speed ECM outdoor fan motor | Variable-speed DC outdoor fan motor | Variable Speed ECM Condenser Fan Motor |
| Warranty | Lifetime unit replacement, 10-year parts | Lifetime unit replacement, 10-year parts | Lifetime unit replacement, 10-year parts |
Amana HVAC systems are unavailable for purchase on their official website but you can use their Find a Dealer feature to find dealers near you. However, according to research their estimated price ranges from $3,854 to $6,345.
Carrier
Carrier is a leading brand in the HVAC industry, with a history of over 100 years. It has three outstanding models of air conditioners: Infinity 19VS, Infinity 20, and Infinity 26. You can also enjoy the benefits of the Infinity System Control, a smart thermostat that lets you manage your HVAC system remotely and access advanced features. You can pair these models with Infinity 98 or Infinity 96 gas furnaces, which are also highly efficient and compatible with Greenspeed Intelligence for a complete heating and cooling solution.
The table below shows the specifications and features of each model
| Model | Infinity 19VS Central Air Conditioner | Infinity 20 Air Conditioner with Greenspeed® Intelligence | Infinity 26 Air Conditioner with Greenspeed® Intelligence |
| SEER2 | Upto 19 | Upto 20.5 | Upto 24 |
| EER2 | Upto 13 | Upto 15.5 | Upto 16 |
| Compressor Type | Five-stage | Variable-speed | Variable-speed |
| Sound Level (dB) | 56 | 58 | 51 |
| Warranty | 10-year limited warranty on parts only if registered on time | 10-year limited warranty on parts only if registered on time | 10-year limited warranty on parts and unit replacement |
Carrier HVAC systems are unavailable for purchase on their official website but you can use their FIND a CARRIER EXPERT feature to find dealers near you. However, an estimated price is mentioned on their website which ranges from around $3,000 to $15,000.
Daikin
Daikin, a global leader in the HVAC industry for over 90 years, offers three energy-efficient models: DX7TC, DX9VC, and DX20VC. They also work with the Daikin One+ smart thermostat and other Daikin equipment, which enable remote monitoring and control, advanced diagnostics and alerts, and performance optimization. These models can fit different buildings and climates, from small to large homes and from moderate to hot and humid environments.
The table below shows the specifications and features of each model
| Model | DX7TC | DX9VC (2 to 5 Tons) | DX20VC (2 to 5 Tons) |
| SEER2 | Upto 17.2 | Upto 22.5 | Upto 24.5 |
| Compressor Type | Two-Stage Copeland Ultra-Tech scroll compressor | Variable-speed swing and scroll compressors | Variable-speed swing and scroll compressors |
| Valve Connection Type | Sweat | Front Seated and Ball Valve | Front Seated and Ball Valve |
| Motor Type | Quiet ECM outdoor fan motor | Quiet DC outdoor fan motor | High-efficiency ECM condenser fan motor |
| Warranty | 12-year on unit and parts replacement | 12-year on unit and parts replacement | 12-year on unit and parts replacement |
Daikin HVAC system prices are unavailable on their official website but you can use their Find A Contractor feature to find dealers near you. However, according to external sources.
- The price of DX7TC ranges from around $3,600 to $5,400
- The price of DX9VC ranges from around $4,000 to $6,200
- The price of DX20VC ranges from around $3,600 to $6,100
Note: These prices are based on research and purely for estimation and do not reflect accurate pricing.
Goodman
Goodman is a leading HVAC brand with over 40 years of history, with three models that stand out: GSXC7, GSXV9, and GVXC20, with capacities from 2 to 5 tons. They also support ComfortBridge technology, which enables remote monitoring and control of the HVAC system via a mobile app or a web portal.
The table below shows the specifications and features of each model
| Model | GSXC7 | GSXV9 | GVXC20 |
| SEER2 | Upto 17.2 | Upto 22.5 | Upto 24.5 |
| Compressor Type | Two-Stage Copeland Ultra-Tech scroll compressor | Variable-speed swing and scroll compressors | Variable-speed swing and scroll compressors |
| Valve Connection Type | Sweat | Front Seated and Ball Valve | Front Seated and Ball Valve |
| Motor Type | Quiet two-speed ECM outdoor fan motor | Variable-speed DC outdoor fan motor | Variable-speed DC outdoor fan motor |
| Warranty | Lifetime on compressor and 10 years on unit and parts replacement | Lifetime on compressor and 10 years on unit and parts replacement | Lifetime on compressor and 10 years on unit and parts replacement |
Goodman HVAC systems are unavailable for purchase on their official website but you can use their Find a Dealer feature to find dealers near you. However, according to research, their estimated installation price ranges from $3,260 to $5,562.
Trane
Trane is a leading HVAC brand with over 120 years of history. It offers three energy-efficient models: XL17i, XV18, and XV20i, with capacities from 2 to 5 tons. They also work with the Trane Link thermostat to communicate and provide optimal efficiency. To get a complete setup you can also pair the variable speed models with one of these components: Hyperion TAM9 Air Handler, XC 80 Gas Furnace, XC 95M Furnace, or S9V2.
The table below shows the specifications and features of each model
| Model | XL17i | XV18 | XV20i |
| SEER2 | Up to 17.2 | Up to 18 | Up to 21.5 |
| Compressor Type | Durable Climatuff Compressor | Variable-speed Climatuff compressor with sound insulator | Variable-speed Climatuff compressor with sound insulator |
| Noise Level | 72-74 DbA | 55-75 DbA | 55-75 DbA |
| Motor Type | Two-speed fan motor | Integrated variable speed fan motor | Integrated variable speed fan motor |
| Warranty | 5-10 years on parts. Extendable. | 5-10 years on parts. Extendable. | 5-10 years on parts. Extendable. |
Trane HVAC system prices are unavailable on their official website but you can use their Find a Local Pro feature to find dealers near you. However, according to external sources.
- The price of XL17i ranges from around $12,800 to $20,000
- The price of XV18 ranges from around $8,000 to $11,000
- The price of XV20i ranges from around $10,000 to $13,000
Note: These prices are based on research and purely for estimation and do not reflect accurate pricing.
Mitsubishi
Mitsubishi is a global leader with over 90 years of experience in the HVAC industry. They offer energy-efficient HVAC systems for commercial buildings as well as residences. You can choose from various options such as Wall-Mounted, Ceiling Cassette, Floor-mounted and intelli-AIR™ Ducted Solutions. You can also match them with outdoor units such as Single and Multi-Zone Heat Pumps, and control them with thermostats such as the TOUCH MA CONTROLLER or an app-based controller such as the kumo cloud®.
The table below shows the specifications and features of this model
| Model | Wall Mounted Unit MSZ-FS | Ceiling Cassette Unit PLA | Floor Mounted Unit MFZ-KJ | intelli-AIR™ Ducted Solution SEZ |
| SEER2 | Up to 33.1 | Up to 27.0 | Up to 28.2 | Up to 22.0 |
| HSPF (Heating seasonal performance factor) | Up to 13.5 | Up to 12.8 | Up to 13.0 | Up to 31.1 |
| Noise Level | 20 dB(A) | 27 dB(A) | 21 dB(A) | 23 dB(A) |
| Capacity | 6,000 to 18,000 BTU/H | 12,000 to 42,000 BTU/H | 9,000 to 18,000 BTU/H | 9,000 to 15,000 BTU/H |
| Warranty | 5-12 years depending on the installer. | 5-12 years depending on the installer. | 5-12 years depending on the installer. | 1-12 years depending on the installer. |
The prices for the Mitsubishi HVAC system are unavailable but you can request a price quotation by submitting a query on their official website.
Fujitsu
Fujitsu is a global leader in the HVAC industry, offering a range of indoor and outdoor units that can provide heating and cooling solutions for any space. Their LZBS1 series model is one of the most energy-efficient HVAC systems for homes, which is designed to deliver high efficiency and performance. This system also has one of the highest SEER2 ratings in the market.
Here are the specifications and features of this model
A. 15LZBS1 AIRSTAGE SINGLE-ROOM MINI-SPLIT Wall-Mounted SYSTEM
- The SEER2 rating is as high as 33.1
- The cooling capacity is 14,500 BTU/h
- The heating capacity is 18,000 BTU/h
- The heating is strong and the operation is silent
- Comes with inverter technology
- The parts have a 5-year warranty and the compressor has a 7-year warranty
Fujitsu HVAC system prices are unavailable but you can visit their official website to locate a dealer near you or submit queries for price and additional information.
Lennox
Lennox is a leading HVAC brand with over 125 years of history. It offers energy-efficient HVAC systems, such as the SL28XCV Series, which has a high SEER rating and a variable-speed compressor. This system provides optimal comfort and saves energy by adjusting to the temperature and humidity changes.
Here are the specifications and features of this model
A. Lennox DLSC SL28XCV
- The SEER rating is as high as 28
- The SEER2 rating is as high as 25.8
- The compressor has variable stages
- The air conditioner has variable capacity from 2 to 5 ton
- The sound levels are only 56 dBA or lower
- The compressor and covered components have a 10-year limited warranty
The prices for Lennox HVAC system prices are unavailable but you can visit their official website to locate your nearest dealer.
American Standard
American Standard is a reputable HVAC brand with over a century of history. It has a variety of HVAC systems that can heat and cool any space with dependability, energy savings, and comfort. The AccuComfort™ Platinum 20 Heat Pump is one of the most efficient multi-stage heating and cooling units.
Here are the specifications and features of this model
A. AccuComfort™ Platinum 20 Heat Pump
- A SEER2 rating of as high as 20.5
- An HSPF2 rating of up to 8.7
- Up to 50% savings on energy costs
- Combine it with a gas furnace for a hybrid system advantage
- Option for American Standard Link technology to enable Bluetooth connectivity among system parts
- Operates at a sound level of 54-76 dBA
- Warranty of 5 to 10 years with an option to extend
The prices for American Standard HVAC system prices are unavailable but you can visit their official website to locate your nearest dealer
Bryant
Bryant is a leading brand of heating and cooling systems that offers a variety of products to meet your needs. One of their most efficient products is the 284ANV. This heat pump is designed to provide you with optimal comfort, efficiency, and performance in any season. It is also compatible with the Evolution™ air purifier, which can inactivate 99% of select airborne viruses and bacteria.
Here are the specifications and features of this model
A. EVOLUTION™ EXTREME 24 VARIABLE-SPEED HEAT PUMP DX20VC Series
- Up to 22 SEER2 for cooling efficiency
- Up to 10.5 HSPF2 for heating efficiency
- Up to 14 EER2 rating
- Can be combined with gas furnace and heat pump systems for optimal winter heating efficiency
- Comes with a variable-speed scroll compressor type
- Operates at 51 dB in the lowest capacity cooling mode
- 10-year replacement and parts limited warranty if timely registered
The prices for Bryant HVAC system prices are unavailable but you can visit their official website to locate your nearest dealer.
Energy Efficient HVAC Design
Energy-efficient HVAC design is a systematic approach to creating solutions that meet specific objectives of comfort, ventilation, and energy savings.
Some of the key strategies for energy-efficient HVAC design are
- Reducing heating and cooling load by minimizing heat from equipment and lighting, optimizing the building envelope, using high-performance windows, and exploiting thermal mass.
- Selecting and sizing HVAC systems that match the expected loads and operate efficiently at partial loads.
- Using dedicated outdoor air systems (DOAS) to decouple ventilation load from the comfort cooling system and deliver the required amount of outside air to each zone.
- Employing heat recovery to reduce HVAC loads and energy by transferring heat between exhaust and supply airstreams or between different zones.
- Implementing performance-based standards and energy modeling to evaluate the energy performance of HVAC systems and optimize the design parameters.
HVAC Energy Consumption Reduction
HVAC energy consumption reduction is minimizing the amount of energy used by heating, ventilation, and cooling systems in buildings.
Some of the methods to reduce HVAC energy consumption are
- Use smart thermostats and controls: These devices can adjust the temperature automatically based on the time of day, reducing the energy consumption and cost of your HVAC system. For example, you can lower the temperature when you are away from home.
- Schedule regular maintenance checks: This will ensure your system is running efficiently and prevent unexpected breakdowns and expensive repairs. You should have your system inspected at the beginning and end of each season.
- Replace air filters frequently: Dirty air filters can make your system work harder and use more energy, increasing your bill. By changing the filter regularly, you can keep your HVAC system clean and efficient.
- Improve your home’s insulation: A well-insulated home and ductwork can prevent air leakage and reduce the heating and cooling load of your HVAC system. This will make your system more energy efficient and save you money.
- Clear plants and gutters around your unit: Plants can block the airflow and gutters can trap moisture, which can affect your system’s performance. Keep your unit free from debris and moisture to avoid damage and inefficiency.
- Position your outdoor unit in a shaded area: Excessive sunlight can overheat your unit and make it use more energy to cool your home. Place your unit near your home in a shady spot to keep it at a stable temperature and reduce energy usage.
Conclusion:
Energy-efficient HVAC systems are not only good for your wallet but also for your comfort and the environment. You need to follow the principles and strategies of energy-efficient HVAC design and implement energy conservation measures to optimize your HVAC system’s performance and efficiency. If you need more help or information, please contact a professional HVAC contractor. Thank you for reading this article on energy-efficient HVAC systems.