SEER
The term “SEER” means Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, which is used to measure the efficiency of an air conditioning system or heat pump—the higher the SEER, the greater the energy efficiency of that air conditioning system.
The Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) defines SEER as a ratio of total cooling output divided by total electrical energy input. In plain English, that is the amount of cooling your air conditioner provides for the energy it uses.
As of January 23, 2006, the government set a minimum standard of 13 SEER for all air conditioning units manufactured in the United States. If your air conditioning system is over 10 years old, it could have a SEER of 9 or lower—upgrading your home from a 9 SEER model to a 13 SEER model can reduce your energy consumption by 30 percent.
This amount continues to rise as air conditioners get even more efficient. That’s why many people with older air conditioners opt for an air conditioner replacement based on that fact alone—the energy savings over time can pay back the price of the installation!
In addition to the substantial savings, upgrading your air conditioning to a more energy-efficient model with a higher SEER is also more environmentally friendly because most high-efficiency ACs have lower greenhouse gas emissions—especially those that are ENERGY STAR qualified.
Air conditioners with a higher SEER also have an easier time cooling your home and regulating the temperature because they don’t have to work as hard as older, outdated models.
If you’re interested in learning more about SEER and high-efficiency ACs or if you want to have an air conditioning replacement in New Jersey to improve energy efficiency, contact Arctic Air Conditioning today!
