SEER ratings
SEER stands for "seasonal energy efficiency ratio." SEER ratings tell you how efficient an air conditioning system is. These ratings are like automobile ratings for safety or mileage; they reflect strict standards to help the public make wise decisions about equipment purchases. The higher the number, the more energy you will save over the operating life of the unit.
These ratings are constantly evolving -- what may have been a minimum standard five years ago may not be acceptable today. Older systems usually have SEER ratings of 6 or below, but the lowest SEER allowed by the government today is 13. It's wise to invest in the highest-SEER-rated A/C you can to achieve the greatest energy savings.
Energy Star
An air conditioner displaying the Energy Star label has to meet or exceed high standards set by the federal government. For example:
- It must achieve significant energy savings on a national scale.
- Its performance and energy efficiency must be able to be tested.
- When the equipment is more expensive than conventional equipment, it must recoup the extra cost through energy savings in a reasonable amount of time.
- The equipment must use non-proprietary technology, available to all manufacturers.
When you're looking for the best in performance, look for the Energy Star label, then for the SEER ratings. By using these standards, you can choose the equipment that will offer you the most savings.
Questions? Contact the experts at Rodenhiser. We serve the Route 495/128 area of Massachusetts, and we're always happy to help you navigate your heating and cooling options.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about high-efficiency air conditioning and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Solutions Guide.
Rodenhiser Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning serves the Route 495/128 area of Massachusetts. Visit our website to see our special offers to get started today!
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