SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, which measures an AC’s unit’s cooling output during a season that requires heavy use, and divides it by the total amount of energy used during that period. A unit with a high SEER rating is able to cool your home without using a lot of energy, while a unit with a low SEER rating will use a lot more energy to do the same. This is important to know if you’re trying to keep your energy bill low each month. Here are other reasons why an AC unit’s SEER is important to know:
A Big Investment
It is said that an AC system with a SEER rating of 16 will save you $2,000 in operating costs during that system’s lifetime. You may ask yourself, “If owning an AC unit with a high SEER rating nets you a low energy bill each month, then why doesn’t everyone buy AC units with high SEER ratings?” There is a reason why everyone doesn’t do that, and it’s usually because units with high SEER ratings are generally more expensive. Although you’re making a larger investment upfront, in the long run the benefits are worth it.
Required Minimum
There’s a government-mandated rule that requires AC units to meet certain requirements in order to be considered safe. All AC units made after 2006 are expected to have a minimum SEER rating of 13. As of Jan. 1, 2015, split system ACs, indoor and outdoor units connected through tubes and wires instead of ductwork, and especially those used in southeastern states must have a minimum SEER rating of 14.
Environmental Contribution
Owning an AC unit with a high SEER rating is beneficial to the environment as they emit less C02 and other greenhouse gases into the air than most other systems. Owning a system with a SEER rating of 16 would prevent the release of close to 30,000 pounds of greenhouse gases!
Call an AC Company Today
Buying a new AC unit is a major investment and the decision to buy one should not be made until you know all there is to know about each unit. This is why Sea Coast Air Conditioning is here to give you all the information you need before you buy the unit that’s right for your home. We will help you choose an AC unit that is affordable, the right size for your home and one that is also energy efficient. Contact us today to get started!
