Whether you’re shopping for a new air conditioning unit or
are concerned about the high cost of your energy bill over the summer, you
might be familiar with the SEER rating. The SEER rating, or the Seasonal Energy
Efficiency Ratio, is an important consideration when it comes to the
functionality of your old or new air conditioning unit. In general, a higher
rating will result in a more efficient cooling system for your home, which
means reduced energy usage and lower utility bills.
The SEER rating might sound easy enough to understand, but in reality, it can
be a rather complicated concept to grasp. While it is important to count with a
high SEER rating, the highest number possible for your home will depend on a
variety of factors and will differ from household to household.
At Happy Home Heating & Cooling, we’re always ready to
help our customers learn more about this important factor in your home’s energy
efficiency. To help you understand more details regarding this important
qualification to evaluate your home’s existing or potential AC efficiency and performance,
this guide will reveal some tips how to determine the best SEER rating for your
household, and what to do if your numbers are lower than they should be.
What
is the Average Household SEER Rating, and What Does This Mean?
The SEER number is calculated according to a formula that measures the number
of units of energy a cooling unit uses compared to the amount of cool air this
amount generates inside the home. A higher number means less energy is being
used in the home, which also reflects better performance and more efficiency
from that unit. A higher number also means greater savings in energy costs in
the summer and throughout the year.
Therefore, the newer your home’s air conditioning unit is, the more likely it
will perform at a higher efficiency rating than it will if it’s an older model.
This is incredibly important living in North Carolina, where summers can get
quite hot, and air conditioning systems are used heavily and often throughout
the day and night. If your unit is older and operating at lower AC efficiency,
it might be worth it to consider AC replacement to save money on energy bills.
What Factors Will Affect My Home’s SEER Rating?
If you live in North Carolina and your home’s HVAC system
was installed before 2015, you might be dealing with a low SEER rating air
conditioning unit—especially if the unit is over 10 or 15 years old. In 2015,
the Department of Energy began requiring that all new central air system installations needed to score at least a 13 on the SEER scale, a score which
most older units aren’t capable of achieving.
In the past, heating and cooling systems were much less
efficient than they are today. On average, an air conditioning unit in an
American home will rate between 13 and 25 on the SEER scale. This is a huge
difference from older cooling systems that used to perform at a much lower
ratio—usually around a 5 or a 6 on the same scale.
Aside from age, some other factors that can affect your
unit’s SEER rating are:
- Poor insulation and ductwork
- Improper HVAC system installation
- Faulty maintenance or lack of repairs
- The size of your air conditioning unit
- The size of your home
- The air conditioner model and quality
How Should I Choose a New Air Conditioner For My Home?
If your air conditioning unit is over ten or fifteen years
old, it might be a good time to consider upgrading. However, choosing a new air
conditioning unit is a big investment and shouldn’t be taken lightly. Great
care should be taken to choose the one with the best SEER rating, and that will
perform the best in your specific household.
Shopping for a new AC replacement can be intimidating. This is also because the
higher-end models that perform at the best capacity can be much more expensive
than average-priced models. If possible, visit a reputable air conditioning
company like Happy Home Heating & Cooling to help you make the best
decision. Our team of experts is always available to answer any and all of your
questions about your air conditioning needs—and can assist you in finding the
perfect unit that will make your home more efficient for years to come.
If you’re interested in speaking with our team of
professional AC efficiency experts at Happy Home Heating & Cooling, give us
a call now. You can also contact us by filling out our online form to request a
free, in-home consultation and pricing quote.
