Air Conditioning Efficiency Ratings

When buying a new air conditioning system, you should have an understanding of air conditioning efficiency ratings and how they are determined. Energy efficiency is becoming a more important issue than ever with the rising costs of energy and environmental issues that need to be considered.

The government has imposed minimum standards on the air conditioning industry in regards to energy efficiency, but consumers can also choose to take it even further.

Air conditioning efficiency is measured in SEERs. SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. SEER is determined by calculating the total amount of BTUs a unit puts out in cooling throughout a whole season divided by the total watt-hours (electricity) used over the same season. The season is simulated to represent a typical cooling season. The higher the SEER, the more energy efficient the air conditioning unit is.

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The government imposed minimum SEER rating today is 13. This rule was put in for residential air conditioning systems that were manufactured after 2005. Air conditioners that were manufactured before then were only required to have a SEER 9.

Window air conditioners are still only required to have a minimum SEER 9. The higher SEER rating translates to an average of approximately 30% less energy consumed over a year of cooling.

Air conditioners with higher than SEER 13 are also available. Generally, the higher the SEER, the greater the initial cost of the unit will be, however. Depending on where you live and how much you use your air conditioner, the cost may be offset by the lesser energy costs. If you have an older air conditioner that was made prior to 2005, you may or may not want to upgrade to a SEER 13 system.

If your air conditioning system is working to your satisfaction, it’s probably not exactly cost efficient to replace it. You probably won’t recover your investment though energy savings alone. However, if you are renovating a home or trying to sell one, upgrading the air conditioner is a good idea and can add value to your property. If you decide to keep an older unit, maintenance is very important.

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