Think of your air conditioner and furnace as part of a total system. That system will work better, longer and more efficiently if all of its components are matched in capacity and efficiency. By the same token, a mismatched system — one that mixes old technology with new — could decrease system performance and overall comfort.

For example, your new air conditioner will be rated with a specific SEER efficiency rating. If your existing furnace and indoor coil don't match in efficiency and capacity, you might not get the efficiency level you paid for. Plus, an older indoor coil may even be dirty and clogged with particles, meaning more energy will be required to push air through the system.

Rating numbers indicate the efficiency of heating and air conditioning equipment and are directly related to the amount of energy a specific model uses. The higher the rating, the more efficient the product, and the lower your energy bills can be. The federal government establishes rating guidelines and sets minimum efficiency levels. For cooling, the rating is SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio). For heat pumps, the rating is HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor). Gas furnaces are rated with AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency).

A manufacturer's limited warranty is the warranty that a product leaves the factory with. Typically, it covers specific parts for a limited period of time. Details on limited warranty coverage can be found in your system's Owners Manual.

Extended warranties are optional and are generally purchased at the same time as the equipment. Optional extended warranties cover all parts and may even include labor. There are a variety of optional extended warranties to choose from, but all are designed to offer long-term peace of mind. Check out our Warranties page for more information.

For people who suffer from allergies, American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning recommends the AccuClean™ Whole Home Air Filtration System. It can clean up to an astonishing 99.98% of allergens from the filtered air that your family breathes. With AccuClean™, the majority of irritating particles like dust, pollen, pet hair and dander, dust mites, mildew, lint, fungus, most tobacco smoke, cooking grease, even bacteria, will be removed from the filtered air. In fact, AccuClean™ removes 100 times more allergens than the standard 1" throwaway filters that come with most systems.

Controlling energy costs starts with your thermostat. You can save about three percent of your heating costs for every degree you lower your thermostat during the winter.* And for every degree you raise your thermostat in the summer, you can cut cooling costs up to six percent.

Just as important, your system's components should have the highest possible energy efficiency ratings. Make sure your components meet the following minimums:

• Air conditioners: SEER ratings of 13 or higher.
• Furnaces: AFUE ratings of 80 or higher.
• Heat pumps: HSPF ratings of 7 or higher.

Select American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning air conditioners, furnaces and heat pumps have ratings of up to 18.9 SEER, 93 AFUE and 9.2 HSPF, respectively.

Having a matched system at home will also help. Every component in a matched system is designed to be matched in capacity and efficiency. That way you can enjoy the highest system efficiency possible.

Lastly, if you're shopping for a new heating and air conditioning system, consider a high-efficiency variable speed system. Variable speed means your system varies its speed depending on your home's heating and cooling requirements. It makes sure you get the amount of heating or cooling you need without wasting energy. Contact your local independent American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning dealer for more energy-saving hints.

*Potential energy savings may vary depending on your personal lifestyle, system settings, equipment maintenance, local climate, actual construction and installation of equipment and duct system.

One of the first things an American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning Dealer will do is conduct a complete energy analysis of your home. By measuring windows and checking insulation, ductwork and building materials, and reviewing a variety of other factors, he can determine the right size system and equipment for your home. He'll even ask you questions about your existing comfort challenges, and make recommendations. Take a look at some helpful tips for finding the right dealer.