To put it in simple terms, a seer rating helps you measure the efficiency of an air conditioner. When you are looking for an air conditioner, you want to make sure that you purchase one that consumes less energy, and offers a good utility cost average. Having a reliable and efficient air conditioner helps you cool your home in the best ways possible.
What is Seer Rating?
SEER, is in fact, an acronym. It means seasonal energy efficiency ratio. Consumers can use this rating as a guide when purchasing an air conditioner or a heat pump. When you measure the rating of an air conditioner, it gives you an insight into its cooling efficiency.
To calculate this mathematically, you will have to use the output of an average season, and divide that value by the overall electrical energy input at the same time of the year. This rating will therefore give you the value of the maximum efficiency of an air conditioner or a heat pump.
What is a Good Seer Rating?
The higher the rating, the greater the energy efficiency will be. The minimum seer standard for air conditioners is thirteen. However, most modern air conditioners will have a seer rating that is ranging from 13, all the way up to 21. You must also keep in mind that the efficiency of your air conditioning cooling can vary ranging on a number of factors. The first biggest factor includes the size of your house, along with your current ductwork and others.
The US government regulates the seer rating of all air conditioners, and the minimum standard of seer rating is 13 according to law. The higher the number, the less energy it will consume, and you will be spending less cost on your utility bill.
Misconceptions
Sometimes, a higher seer rating can also mean more expenses, and a seer rating of 13 and 14 does not exactly mean that the air conditioner is less expensive. Older air conditioners that have a rating of only 8 or 9 seer.
This means, if you are upgrading your air conditioner that is 8 or 9 seer to one that has a 13 rating, you will notice a huge increase in energy efficiency. In the case of cutting utility costs, a 21-unit seer rating air conditioner will provide cheaper monthly bills, however, you might still be paying extra for the upfront expenses of a high rating AC.
Therefore, in the long run, the 21 seer rating may not be saving you the maximum cost on your utilities. However, if you live in a warmer state, your average lifespan of the air conditioner will decrease.
Conclusion
Money is not the only factor why you should be looking for a higher rating for an air conditioner. A higher rating also means comfort because modern air conditioners will provide even cooling. It also will lower humidity levels inside the house. Hence, you can breathe a more comfortable air.
