| SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. It's | | | | by upgrading to a more efficient air conditioner, For |
| a number (between 8-23) that describes how | | | | example, an upgrade from a rating of nine (older unit) |
| efficient an air-conditioning system works. A higher | | | | to 13 (base seer rating now) could translate into |
| SEER means higher efficiency and lower energy bills. | | | | almost a third less energy used per season. This can |
| SEER is calculated by dividing the amount of cooling | | | | potentially result in hundreds of dollars of savings per |
| supplied by the air conditioner or heat pump (Btu's | | | | year, to the point that a new unit could even pay for |
| per hour) by the power (watts) used by the cooling | | | | itself in savings. |
| equipment under a specific set of seasonal conditions. | | | | If you are considering replacing your air conditioning |
| These ratings are determined in a laboratory where | | | | system to a high efficiency system you should know |
| the exact set of indoor and outdoor | | | | that the SEER rating alone will not guarantee your |
| conditions-specified by the US Department of | | | | energy savings. You should know the FACTS on |
| Energy-are guaranteed to exist. Because each piece | | | | SEER ratings. There are a lot of other factors that |
| of cooling equipment is evaluated using the exact | | | | come into play when trying to achieve the maximum |
| same conditions, the rating can be used in comparing | | | | amount of savings from your new equipment. |
| the performance of equipment from different | | | | Check these F.A.C. T. S. |
| manufacturers. Higher ratings can be achieved by | | | | F.- Field Adjustments. To your newly installed |
| manufacturers who use newer or better technology | | | | equipment. |
| in their equipment. | | | | A.- Air Flow. Without proper airflow, the desired |
| That's why these ratings have a big influence on initial | | | | temperature change across the evaporator will not |
| equipment costs and also why SEER has become an | | | | occur. Make sure your ductwork is sized correctly for |
| important part of manufacturers and HVAC | | | | your new system |
| marketing programs. | | | | C. Charge.- As in refrigerant charge. Most |
| In the United States, all air conditioners sold on or | | | | manufacturers now a days recommend charging your |
| after January 1, 2006 are required to have a SEER | | | | new system by the sub cooling method. If your new |
| rating of at least 13. Window air-conditioners that are | | | | system is undercharged by 20% it can knock your |
| mounted in windows are not affected by this law. | | | | new systems SEER rating down up to 1 full point, so |
| The government is also offering a tax credit until | | | | you paid for the 14 seer but you are only getting the |
| December 31st, 2010 on 15 seer and above air | | | | 13 SEER. |
| conditioning and heat pump systems. Get up to $1500 | | | | T.- Tight ducts. As discussed in Don't waste your AC |
| tax credit explains all of the requirements to qualify | | | | in your attic. Duct leakage can have a SERIOUS |
| for the federal tax rebate. | | | | negative impact on your overall SEER rating. |
| It is possible to see significant savings in cooling costs | | | | |