What is SEER rating and why is it important?

The SEER rating is gotten by dividing the total amount of cooling supplied during the air conditioning period.

03:45 08 June 2022

The SEER rating is gotten by dividing the total amount of cooling supplied during the air conditioning period by the complete electrical input throughout the air conditioning period, and its computation method is considered in the AHRI Standard (210/240) -- 2008. 

 

Generally, the higher the SEER, the less electricity the system requires to do its task. SEER scores for cooling and heatpump systems vary from 13 SEER to 24 SEER, with higher numbers offering greater power cost savings year after year.

 

In existing installations, there are several tasks to perform on an air conditioning system to reduce energy use and make it more efficient, such as: routine maintenance, filter replacement, humidity control, and programmable thermostats.

 

However, to get the most energy efficiency and save money, it's best to replace your existing equipment with new SEER-rated equipment properly tailored to your needs and budget. If you are looking for help with calculating seer rating they are professionals and have a vast experiences in this field.

 

Most air conditioning system manufacturers include a yellow “Energy Guide” label with the SEER rating of that unit on their equipment. For this purpose, the United States Department of Energy has established a minimum of 13 SEER in the northern region and a minimum of 14 SEER in the southern and southwestern regions. Also, any air conditioning system with a SEER rating of 18 and/or above should be considered a high-efficiency model and is generally reserved for special uses.

 

Why is it important?

When you're looking to buy a new air conditioner or want to replace an existing air conditioner with a new one, you'll hear the dealer or air conditioning expert ask you about your preferred SEER rating. For most people, this is usually a confusing time because they have no idea what SEER is and why it matters when buying and installing air conditioners.

 

SEER is short for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. It is simply a measure of how much cooling an air conditioner saves for each unit of energy consumed. As such, this implies that the higher the SEER rating, the more efficient the air conditioner.

 

For most applications, the recommended SEER rating is usually 13SEER, although options are available up to 25 SEER, with those units with higher SEER also being relatively more expensive than those with lower ratings. Does this mean that when buying a new air conditioner, you should always opt for units with a higher SEER?

 

Many factors come into play when purchasing or replacing a new air conditioner. Despite a desire to have a unit with the maximum rating possible, the cost implications may not make it a great choice and there are other factors worth considering when making a new purchase. The best approach is to enlist the help of an air conditioning expert to help you determine your property's heat load. This will help you know the amount of heating needed and therefore it will be easy to choose the most suitable unit for your needs.

 

However, for most air conditioner replacements, a 13SEER is normally used as a replacement for an 8 to 10SEER air conditioner. What you should always keep in mind when you want greater efficiency for your HVAC is making sure your home has a good thermal rating.