Dear Jim: I am trying to live my life as efficiently as possible to save money and the environment. There seem to be so many different efficiency ratings. How can I evaluate which appliances are most efficient? – Bob M.

Dear Bob: Using the most efficient appliances and products in your home can significantly cut your utility bills. It also will reduce air pollution, environmental damage from exploration and transportation of fuels and stretch our finite fossil fuel supplies for your children’s future needs.

For many products in your home, particularly smaller ones that use electricity, it takes the quick use of a calculator to determine which are most efficient. Luckily, the government and manufacturer associations have made it easier to compare efficiencies of the highest-energy-usage items.

Heating and cooling a home are the greatest contributors to high monthly utility bills. All furnaces, heat pumps and air conditioners will have one of the follow efficiency ratings. A higher number indicates higher efficiency. Keep in mind, more efficient models usually cost more initially, so have the contractor do a payback analysis for your home.

. HSPF (heating seasonal performance factor) – this is a heating efficiency rating that compares the seasonal electricity usage of heat pumps.

. SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) – this is a cooling efficiency rating that compares the seasonal electricity usage of heat pumps or central air conditioners.

. EER (energy efficiency ratio) – this is the cooling efficiency rating that compares the electricity usage for window and portable air conditioners. It is a less accurate comparison because it does not take into account the start-up inefficiencies and seasonal changes as a SEER rating does.

. AFE (annual fuel utilization efficiency) – this is the heating efficiency rating that compares the fuel usage of natural gas, propane and oil furnaces.

Heating water is another major energy consumer in most homes. Water heater efficiency can be compared by its EF (energy factor). It also has a yellow energy usage label on the tank showing estimated annual operating costs. Also use the yellow energy label to compare refrigerator/freezer and clothes washer efficiency.

Send inquiries to James Dulley, 6906 Royalgreen Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45244 or visit www.dulley.com.