What to Know About Air Conditioning SEER Ratings
When you start shopping for an air conditioning unit, you might read a lot of specifications. While each one has relevance for your purchase, it’s a good idea to pay particular attention to the air conditioning SEER rating. This rating tells you about the efficiency of the unit, which can be important to know in a place like Florida with hot summers. Here are a few things to keep in mind.
What Is a SEER Rating?
The seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) gives you an idea of the efficiency of the unit you pick. It’s a thorough method of testing the unit to determine the output you can get in exchange for energy usage. Specifically, the manufacturer runs the unit through testing in a variety of temperatures throughout the day, usually ranging from 60 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The results provide a number that starts around 13 and extends to 26 or more, depending on the system you have. Higher numbers reflect greater efficiency.
Although SEER and EER might seem like they are the same, you should know that they are different. The process to come up with a SEER rating is more complicated, because it tests the output of the unit based on several possible outside temperatures. By comparison, EER relates to testing the unit with a single specific temperature. You’ll still see EER ratings on portable or window air conditioning systems, but for most split-system air conditioning units, SEER is the more accurate number.
Shopping for SEER Ratings
Efficiency is a big part of your comfort, particularly if you plan to run the air conditioning a lot throughout the year. It’s a little like the mileage on your car. People who plan to drive a lot, or who drive long distances, don’t want to be filling up with gas all the time. Although you have virtually unlimited access to electricity, higher efficiency means you use less of it to get the same amount of cooling. That’s a vital factor when you’re trying to keep your energy consumption low or cut down on your utility bills.
Although an air conditioning SEER rating might be one of the larger aspects of your purchase, it’s worth keeping in mind that it shouldn’t be the only one. You can find units with a high SEER rating that miss out on other features you need, like quiet operation or variable speed. Before you schedule air conditioning installation, get a consult so that you can determine which unit is going to be the most appropriate for your needs.
Understanding the SEER rating helps you to find an air conditioning unit that will solve your problems. To learn more about how to get the most out of your air conditioning system, or to schedule air conditioning repair, contact us today.
