So, you’ve decided to upgrade your air conditioner but are unsure of what you’re comparing when it comes to energy efficiency ratings? You’ve come to the right place! We understand that this is a little confusing for those unfamiliar with this industry. Below we’ve laid it out in more simple terms to make this process a little less overwhelming for you.
What do these ratings mean!?!?
SEER – This stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. Think of it like a math equation because, that is essentially what it is. Divide cooling output by electricity usage and you get the SEER rating. Or more specifically, electrical input needed to run the system to the amount of cooling it generates. The higher the SEER rating, the better. You can cut down on power consumption by upgrading to a unit with a higher SEER rating.
EER – You guessed it, it stand for energy efficiency ratio! This evaluates the operating efficiency of the unit. This is calculated by dividing output cooling energy by input electrical energy. SEER and EER are displayed on new units. To ensure your system runs as efficiently as it’s rated to, you must maintain your unit. Regular maintenance and filters changes are a must.
Energy Star – This rating was created by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). It’s simply the energy efficiency rating of a product. A neutral 3rd party tests the system to ensure it meets a particular set of requirements.
Want to do further research about what those requirements are? Visit Energy Star for more information. (That’s a direct link to the program requirements.)
When shopping for your new unit, of course you want to make sure you are comparing apples to apples. This guide should help you be able to accomplish just that. As one would expect, the higher the SEER rating, the higher the cost of equipment. Be sure to keep in mind that you’ll save money in the long run by getting a higher SEER unit.
Have questions? Give us a call at 770-672-6963. We’ll be happy to help you!
If you’d prefer, visit our website at www.accutempair.com
