Time to Upgrade? Make Sure You Know This First
We love to rate things in life. Movies, restaurants, books—even our teachers! Well, the heating and cooling industry is no different.
Have you ever heard the term “SEER” but you weren’t sure what it meant? It’s a type of rating for air conditioners, heat pumps and ductless mini split ACs—something every homeowner should know about.
The Higher the SEER, the Higher the Savings
“SEER” stands for seasonal energy efficiency ratio. It’s a rating that’s determined by taking the total cooling output of an air conditioner over the course of a cooling season and dividing it by the total amount of energy the system uses. In other words, the SEER of an AC tells you how efficient the unit is. The higher the SEER, the more money you will save over time to cool your home. One way to think about SEER is by comparing it to a car. Just as the most efficient cars allow you to travel the farthest with the least amount of gas, the most efficient air conditioners provide the highest cooling output while consuming the least amount of energy.
Other Facts to Know
- Currently, SEER ratings range from about 13 to 21. The U.S. Department of Energy sets minimum SEER requirements for air conditioning manufacturers. An AC that falls closer to 13 is considered less efficient and a system that’s at or near 21 is highly efficient.
- Choosing the right SEER for your home comes down to a number of factors, including your budget, cooling preferences, home layout and more. During an on-site consultation, we’ll happily discuss your options and tell you the differences you can expect with either a higher or lower SEER. It’s also worth mentioning that older units still running today typically fall at around 8 SEER. So even if you go with the lowest SEER requirement, it will still be an improvement from your outdated, inefficient air conditioner.
- Units with higher SEER ratings often come with additional features, such as multi-stage cooling. This means your air conditioner will stay on longer rather than constantly turning on and off. This not only helps you save more energy and money, but it also results in a more even, consistent temperature.
Choose ‘Best in Show’ Comfort With Blue Ribbon
There’s a whole list of HVAC terms that the average homeowner just doesn’t know. Knowing how important the SEER rating actually is for improving your comfort and minimizing your expenses, we wanted you to know what the term entails.
Is there another HVAC-related word or term you’d like to know more about? Send us a message and we’ll get right back to you! As your local heating and cooling partner, we’re here to provide the tools and resources you need to make informed decisions for your home. You don’t deserve anything less!
To schedule AC service, including heat pump repair, for your home in Bastrop, TX, or elsewhere in the Greater Austin Metro area, contact us online or call Blue Ribbon Cooling & Heating at 512.308.3515 today!