Tuesday, July 31, 2012

What is a SEER in Air Conditioning?

Shopping for air conditioning units means wading into a field of new terms. One of the most common terms, the SEER number, reveals the unit's efficiency. Know the meaning of this acronym and shop with confidence.
Definition

SEER is an acronym for seasonal energy efficiency rating. The United States and Canada use the SEER to determine the energy efficiency of air conditioning units. Many organizations, including the federal Energy Star program and local power companies, use SEER numbers when awarding installation rebates.

Calculations











Manufacturers, power companies, and federal departments calculate the SEER by dividing the thermal output of the air conditioning unit (measured in Btu) by the total watt hours of energy the unit consumed. This is measured over an average cooling season. Energy-efficient units have higher SEER numbers than standard units.

Efficiency


       










According to the U.S. Department of Energy website, 13 is the lowest SEER rating allowed in new residential air conditioning units as of January 23, 2006. Earlier models may have SEER numbers as low as 6, increasing power costs for the homeowner. Since air conditioning units may last 15 to 20 years, replacing an inefficient air conditioner saves the homeowner money in future energy costs. If your current unit is 10 years old, replacing it with a new unit may cut 20 to 40 percent off your power bill.





2 comments:

  1. I came across your blog while I was looking for air conditioner repair in Dallas. I'm happy I did because I did not know anything about SEER, this was a very insightful read. Thank you for sharing this with us!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Most welcome dear and thanks for your feed back. It will give me more energy.

    ReplyDelete

 

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