AC SEER Ratings Explained

When you’re shopping around for a new home cooling system you’ll see the acronym “SEER” all over the place. It’s on ads, it’s on product specs, and it’s even printed on the units themselves. But what exactly does SEER mean? Is it important? Read along and learn from the team at Greens Energy Services!

Want to find the right SEER rating for your ideal cooling system in Orlando, Florida? Contact Greens Energy Services today to find out!

Learning the Basics of SEER Ratings

The good news is that this will be far less complicated than you might think. Starting off the SEER, or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, is essentially a measurement of your central air conditioner or heat pump’s energy-efficiency, or how much power it takes to adequately cool your space. This is easily calculated by cooling output (in a measurement of BTUs—British Thermal units) divided by the energy input, or how much energy generating those BTUs takes.

Put much more simply, the SEER rating of your air conditioner is determined by how much power it eats up in kWh versus how much actual cool air it will put out for the amount of energy used.

The Difference Between EER & SEER

The literal difference is simply that SEER adds the “s,” which stands for seasonal. The EER, or Energy Efficiency Ratio, of a system is defined by the same measures—BTU vs kWh. The real and primary difference here is that the EER is based off of a constant environment. EER uses a constant indoor temp of 80 °F and 50% relative humidity.

The SEER, however, takes into account the rating according to seasonal and regional needs. That’s why the minimum SEER rating changes depending on which state you’re in.

Is a Higher SEER Rating Always Better?

It’s not a cut and dry answer, unfortunately. Is a higher SEER rating always more energy-efficient? Yes. Does a higher SEER rating mean a higher-quality product? No. Is it always worth it to shell out for a higher SEER system? Nope!

Finding the right SEER rating to suit your needs comes down to exactly that: your needs. The right SEER rating tends to be more about calculating the right rating far more than simply choosing the higher one. Many homeowners do in fact want a higher rating, and especially so if your unit is ten years old or older, when SEER ratings and overall system efficiencies were far lower than modern systems. But the fact is that any improvement in rating is going to be huge, and by overshooting all you’ll wind up doing is paying in way more than is necessary.

Work With Pros to Find Your Ideal System

Matters regarding SEER and many other vital factors are why working with a trustworthy expert is so important when looking for a new cooling system. You need a team that knows our seasonal needs, understands what would work best for your home, and doesn’t try to gouge you with obnoxious sales tactics.