SEER Ratings (Season Energy Efficiency Ratio) are the primary standard of measuring how energy efficient your cooling system is. The ratio is calculated by dividing the cooling output (measured in BTU’s or British Thermal Units) by the total electric energy input (measured in watts) during the same timeframe.
SEER Ratings are measured on a spectrum with the government now requiring a minimum SEER rating of 13-14. In the state of Florida, the minimum SEER rating is 14 due to the hotter temperatures. While many things can affect your overall energy efficiency in your home, the SEER rating is a stand-alone score attributed to your air conditioning unit or heat pump.
Why Are SEER Ratings Important?
SEER Ratings are important because they are tied to your energy costs. When looking to purchase a new air conditioning unit, SEER Rating is your key number that tells you how energy-efficient your new cooling system is going to be. In other words, it gives you an idea of the kind of money you are going to spend to operate your system after you’ve purchased it.
While we don’t suggest that every HVAC shopper buy the highest-rated cooling system possible, we do recommend that our customers choose their system with the long-term picture in mind.
Many shoppers don’t want to spend extra money upfront to buy a more energy-efficient system, and as a result, they get stuck with inflated energy bills for the 15 year lifespan of the unit. In the end, a higher SEER rating pays off. On average, updating an air conditioner with a SEER rating of 10 to Florida’s state minimum of 14 saves the average household 30% on energy costs according to the Environmental and Energy Study Institute, resulting in an average of nearly $5,700 in savings over a unit’s 15 year lifespan.
Higher SEER Rating Equals Better Performance
There are other benefits to higher-rated units, like the fact that these systems also run longer cycles at lower pressures, effectively removing more moisture from the air. This keeps the humidity levels and the chances of mold low.
Next time you are looking to purchase a new AC unit, be sure to ask about the right SEER Rating for your budget and cooling needs. If you want our professional opinion, give us a call or email us, and we will help answer all of your SEER Rating questions!
