August 08, 2012
When you are looking for a new air conditioner for your Sarasota area home, there are seemingly limitless options: brand, size, model, single-stage, two-stage, etc. But one of the most important considerations for your new air conditioner should be energy efficiency, which is measured in SEER.
SEER stands for Season Energy Efficiency Rating. SEER was developed and created by the U.S. Department of Energy to give you (the consumer) a way to accurately compare the energy efficiency of different air conditioners and heat pumps.
Air conditioners and heat pumps are tested in a laboratory setting under the same conditions. To calculate the SEER, the amount of cooling supplied during a cooling season is divided by the amount of power consumed during the same time period. In general, the higher the SEER, the more energy efficient the cooling system and the more you will save on energy bills.
The energy efficiency of the air conditioner you buy will depend on your individual circumstances. Currently, the U.S. government mandates that all new air conditioners must be SEER 13 or higher. The previous minimum was SEER 10, so this represents about a 30% increase in energy efficiency from most older air conditioners, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Of course, there are air conditioners with even higher ratings, but he higher the SEER the more expensive the air conditioner. To help determine the right SEER for your home, ask yourself these questions:
As we said, there are many choices when selecting a new air conditioner for your Sarasota area home. And while the SEER will play a major role in your new system’s efficiency, you should also consider some other important factors, such as:
At Cool Today, we want to help you find the efficient air conditioner that fits your home’s needs and your budget.
Schedule your free in-home estimate today to get started.
Posted in: Buyer's Guide