When you need to replace your home’s HVAC system, you’ll find the replacement air conditioner and heater has a number known as the SEER rating. Most people understand that they want a good SEER rating but most of us don’t fully understand want that means. Air Supply Heating & Air Conditioning will explain SEER, why it is used, and how it can help you determine the best HVAC equipment you need to replace your air conditioner or heater.
SEER Rating Definition
Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio or SEER was developed to provide homeowners or customers with a method of comparing energy efficiency. When you need to compare each air conditioner and heating system, take a look at the SEER rating. This will help you compare each unit to others. Calculating the SEER rating on an air conditioner is determined by the amount of cooling the air conditioner supplies during the cooling season. This is calculated by measuring the Btu’s per hour along with the watts or power used in the same period of time. Each air conditioner and heater, whether it’s a furnace or boiler, are tested in a lab. There are various tests where different climate conditions are created to see how each unit reacts in the various climates and temperatures. Here in Nevada, it is essential that all air conditioners and heaters are tested for our extreme heat and colder winters to ensure optimal efficiency. After thorough testing, each unit receives its own SEER rating to accurately compare each manufactures heating and air conditioning units.
What is a Good SEER Rating?
In 2006, U.S. Law ordered that all air conditioning and heating units meet the minimum SEER requirement of 13, where before the minimum SEER rating was 10. With the new standard raised to 13, this improves energy efficiency up 30%. The higher the SEER rating the more efficient the unit is. However, even though a unit may have a good SEER rated number there are certain considerations that can affect the unit’s actual efficiency such as:
• The size of the system, if the unit is too small or too big, this will have a dramatic effect on the air conditioner or heater. In short, if the unit is too big for the home, it creates too much cold or heated air which leads to waste, if the unit is too small, it forces it to work harder using more energy than necessary.
• Poor installation is another cause of poor efficiency. This might include leaks or improper wiring.
• Air ducts plays another role. If the air ducts are too large for the home, it causes the unit to work harder to circulate the air. If the air ducts have a leak you’re losing air which again affects the efficiency.
• Additional features also have its affects. For example, some air conditioning systems may require an added pumping system for the condensation drainage system. Sometimes the condensation drainage pipes are longer and need help pumping the excess water from the condensation out. This is an additional feature that can affect the SEER rating.
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If you need to replace your home’s air conditioner or heater, make sure you find the right size with the best SEER rating to help save money with better efficiency. If you need help replacing your home HVAC unit, contact Air Supply Heating & Air Conditioning today.