What’s SEER got to do with your AC? Plenty!
SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating
If it’s time to upgrade your air conditioner, you’re likely looking for a unit that will run as efficiently as possible. A heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system that runs at a higher efficiency costs you less in monthly utility bills. So, what is SEER? It’s the rating that tells you how efficiently an air conditioner runs and is found on the yellow energy label pasted on the side of every unit.
SEER is calculated by dividing the total cooling energy required during a typical cooling season by the total electrical energy required to run the air conditioner. This means that the rating is a ratio of the unit’s cooling capacity over how much power is inputted.
The higher the number, the higher the SEER rating and therefore, the more efficient the unit. As your home is cooled by a more efficient unit, you’ll see the changes reflected on your energy bills each month. Plus, your carbon footprint impact on the environment will be lower!
If you check out your current old air conditioner, especially if it’s around 10 years old or more, you’ll notice that it’s SEER is much lower than models available on the market today, especially ENERGY STAR rated high-efficiency units.
Comparable to SEER, your furnace also has a useful rating that is used to assess its efficiency—AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency). It’s calculated similarly, too: by comparing the annual heat output of the furnace to its annual fossil fuel energy consumption. Again, the higher the AFUE rating, the more efficiently the furnace runs.
It’s important to note which SEER air conditioner is right for your home! Higher SEER units cost more upfront but will save you more long term. However, if you are selling your home or only plan on staying for a short amount of time you have to find out which unit makes the best sense for your situation. You must factor in your AC usage, how long you plan on living in your home and your budget. HAMCO Heating & Cooling Ltd. highly recommends you discuss your options with one of our licensed professional to help you choose the right air conditioner for your home.
HAMCO has been serving Hamilton and the surrounding area for over 70 years. We proudly build strong and lasting relationships with all of our customers by providing the ultimate quality service and equipment to fit your needs.
Ready to talk air conditioners and SEER?
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