What Is SEER And How Can It Affect Your Wallet?
Most homeowners are familiar with the basic concepts of BTUs (British Thermal Units) and how an air conditioner’s cooling power depends on the number of BTUs it produces. Generally speaking, more BTUs will mean faster cooling.
However, there’s more to consider than just an air conditioner’s cooling power. Many people are also concerned with the efficiency of the air conditioning system they choose for their home.
What Every Homeowner Should Know About SEER & Their Air Conditioner Replacement Farmingdale NJ
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When you want to compare air conditioners for energy efficiency, it’s essential to understand what SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) is. After all, SEER can impact the energy efficiency and cost of your new air conditioner.
SEER is simply the relationship between the amount of cooling output compared to how much energy the AC consumes. The US Department of Energy requires that all air conditioners have their SEER rating listed on the unit. This rating allows consumers an easy way to know not only how much a particular AC unit can cool, but it also allows consumers to see the energy consumption that will be required.
How AC SEER Ratings Are Calculated
The Department of Energy has specific tests that they use to determine the SEER rating of air conditioners. To standardize SEER ratings, the analysis assumes the outdoor temperature to be 82˚F. It also assumes the indoor temperature to be 80˚F, and a 50% indoor relative humidity. With conditions that match the standard DOE assumptions, one could expect an air conditioner with a SEER rating of 16 to be 60% more efficient than an air conditioner with a SEER rating of 10.
The SEER rating for an air conditioning unit is determined by measuring the BTUs of cooling output during regular use. Then, this number is then divided by the number of watt-hours of energy consumed.
Energy Consumption & The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio
The Environmental Protection Agency requires that all air conditioners manufactured after January 1, 2015, have a SEER rating of at least 14. Additionally, an air conditioner can have an Energy Star rating if it uses 8% less energy than AC units that do not have an Energy Star label. You can use the SEER rating of an air conditioner to calculate how much energy you’ll likely need to cool your home.
Of course, once variations come into play, the actual energy efficiency of a unit can be quite different. Everything from the area of the country where you live to the amount of insulation in your home can make a difference in your overall energy consumption.
Utility Costs & SEER Ratings
When determining if upgrading your current air conditioner is an excellent financial move, it’s crucial to consider the cost of various air conditioners. However, it’s also essential to factor in the savings you’ll see in future energy bills. The higher the SEER rating of a unit, the more energy efficient it will be. However, cooling units with higher SEER ratings also cost more.
Other factors that can affect energy savings and your overall costs for cooling your home include the age of your current air conditioner, as well as the specific conditions in your home and location. If you’ve had your air conditioner for 12 to 15 years, the SEER rating could be a 10 or 13. This number is considerably less than what is currently available on the market. Additionally, as your air conditioner ages, it can lose efficiency, reducing its actual SEER rating.
There’s no doubt that replacing a less efficient air conditioner with one that offers better energy efficiency can help homeowners save money, but balancing budget and utility costs is a decision each homeowner must make for themselves.
Conclusion
Lawes Company is a highly respected HVAC services provider that can assist home and business owners with their heating and cooling issues. If you need HVAC repairs, maintenance work, or system installation, then we are the one to call. Our reasonable rates and friendly NATE certified HVAC technicians will make your visit with us a pleasant experience.
Learn more about what we can do for you by calling us today. We provide free consultations at your preferred schedule. Tell us about your concerns and your questions. We will answer them to the best of our abilities and your satisfaction. Act now so you can get the help that you need. Our representatives are standing by so call Lawes Company today!
Some of the areas we service include Adelphia, Farmingdale, Freehold, Howell and these zip codes 07710, 07727, 07728, 07731 as well as all surrounding areas in Monmouth County, New Jersey.
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