Energy efficiency is an important part of selecting an air conditioning system for a home, and if you have professionals helping you with the installation (and you always should) you will end up with an AC that will provide you with the level of cooling you need combined with energy-saving performance.
The way the energy efficiency of air conditioners is measured is with the SEER rating. We’ll explain how this rating works and how it applies to your AC’s performance.
SEER = Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio
SEER stands for “seasonal energy efficiency ratio.” It is the ratio of how much power an air conditioner draws to the amount of cooling it produces as measured over a season. Specifically, the ratio of energy consumed in watt-hours to the cooling output in BTUs. The higher the number, the more efficiently an air conditioner uses electrical energy to cool a space.
What sort of SEER rating should you be looking for? Currently, the U.S. Department of Energy requires an AC to have a minimum of 14 SEER in order to qualify for the ENERGY STAR label. Special high-efficiency air conditioners can score much higher SEER than this, such as 20 SEER.
However, here’s something important to keep in mind regarding AC efficiency: a higher SEER rating doesn’t necessarily mean a unit is the best one to install. SEER measures efficiency, but not actual cooling power. This is why it is essential to have a professional help you select the right system. The highest SEER rating in the world won’t mean much if the system can’t properly cool down your house and ends up running constantly; you will end up wasting energy. SEER is a guideline—not a guarantee that you will save money with the system. Trust to professionals to help you find the right combination of features to ensure you receive comfort and savings.
When you need air conditioning services in Destin, FL, just call on Kool Breeze of Northwest Florida, Inc. We have served homes in the area with comfort solutions since 1986.