SEER Rating

SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) measures how efficiently an air conditioning system operates. Higher SEER = more efficient = lower operating costs.

How SEER Is Calculated: SEER = Total cooling output (BTUs) ÷ Total electrical input (watt-hours) over a typical cooling season.

Current Standards:

• Minimum requirement: 14-15 SEER (varies by region)
• Standard efficiency: 14-16 SEER
• High efficiency: 17-20 SEER
• Super high efficiency: 21+ SEER

  Energy Savings:

Upgrading from lower to higher SEER can significantly reduce energy costs:

• 10 SEER to 14 SEER: ~28% reduction
• 10 SEER to 16 SEER: ~37% reduction
• 14 SEER to 20 SEER: ~30% reduction

  Factors to Consider:

• Climate: Higher SEER more valuable in hot climates
• Usage: More beneficial with heavy AC use
• Upfront cost: Higher SEER units cost more
• Payback period: Calculate energy savings vs. price difference

  SEER2:

As of 2023, a new testing standard (SEER2) more accurately reflects real-world conditions. SEER2 ratings are typically slightly lower than SEER for the same equipment.

Related Ratings:

• HSPF: Heating efficiency for heat pumps
• AFUE: Furnace efficiency
• EER: Efficiency at a specific temperature