by Administrator
February 21, 2011
If you find yourself in the market for a new air conditioner this season one rating you will be taking into consideration is SEER. SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio which is defined by the Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute. It’s a number that describes how well air-conditioning equipment works and the higher the SEER rating the more efficient your unit.
The US Department of Energy determines the exact indoor and outdoor conditions that are used for testing air conditioners and heat pumps when setting SEER ratings. This strictly controlled testing makes it a great comparison of different manufacturers equipment.
Energy efficiency and sustainability are top of mind for most people today and SEER ratings are becoming more and more important. Today all residential air conditioners sold in the United States must have a SEER rating of at least 13. In order to qualify for the ENERGY STAR rating an air conditioner must have a SEER rating of 14 or higher.
Significant energy savings can be realized from using systems with high SEER Ratings. Exact savings will depend on the usage rate, length of seasons and the cost of electricity. Work with a HVAC Professional to determine the best SEER rating to use based on your climate.
Starting with equipment with a high SEER rating is the first step. The second step is working with a qualified HVAC Contractor to be sure your equipment is setup and maintained properly and running at peak efficiency.