SEER, or seasonal energy efficiency ratio, is the best way to determine an AC’s energy efficiency. It’s the cooling output in a cooling season divided by the unit’s total electrical input in a season. In the US, it’s the ratio of cooling in BTUs to energy the unit consumes in watt-hours. Simply put, the higher the SEER rating, the more energy efficient the unit is, which means you pay less during the AC unit’s lifetime.
The average SEER for a standard window AC unitis around SEER 10, which isn’t too efficient, and the average for central air is now around SEER 13. With federal law now mandating that all newer units have a rating of at least 13, and some units now rating as high as SEER 23, this number will almost certainly rise in the coming years.
At this point you might be wondering what this actually means for you. Well, units with higher SEERs cost more to purchase and set up due to their more complex assembly, but over the lifetime of the air conditioner they’ll save you thousands of dollars in energy costs, and they’ll prevent thousands of pounds of harmful greenhouse gases from entering the atmosphere. In addition, most energy companies will give you rebates for buying a high-SEER AC.
How high of a SEER you need depends on where you are, and how much you’ll need to use your AC. If you live a regions that don’t get as hot during the summer, there’s no need to own anything with a very high rating, since it would be used comparatively sparingly, making higher efficiency less attractive. But if you live somewhere warmer and require cool air for long periods of time, then a high SEER rated AC unit is something you should seriously consider.
Looking to install a new AC unit in you Aurora home? Contact Prestige Plumbing, Heating & Cooling at 630.801.8600 and schedule a service call today!