A car’s MPG average is what you might experience, but it will vary depending on things such as whether you drive in bumper-to-bumper traffic or with a NASCAR lead foot. You can think of SEER like a car’s miles-per-gallon rating. It is not the rating that the unit achieves constantly. Important note: The SEER “score” is a maximum rating, meaning that it’s what is achieved when a central air conditioning unit is operating at peak efficiency. The higher the SEER ratio, the more efficiently a unit can operate. The SEER rating ( ratio) is calculated using constant indoor temperature and a variety of outdoor temperatures ranging from 60 to more than 100 degrees to simulate a cooling season. The SEER rating of a central air unit is the cooling output over a typical cooling season divided by the energy used during the season.
what might be the SEER rating sweet spot, and.whether the highest rating is always best,.You’ll want to know what a good number is, of course, but also: But when replacing a central air conditioner, there’s more to consider than just SEER values. It’s a given you will be much more comfortable and have lower operating costs with high-efficiency equipment.
Once they make the change, they tell us their only regret was waiting so long to do it. At the same time, AC units have pushed forward dramatically in efficiency, delivering lower energy bills due to SEER numbers that 25 years ago would’ve felt nearly as much like science fiction as Star Wars.Įveryone wants lower energy bills, but most people just aren’t aware of how much more comfortable their homes will be with high-efficiency air conditioning. Part of the reason is that energy prices have risen considerably, hitting us all in the wallet. In recent years, the SEER rating has become a bigger part of the conversation. SEER has been around for decades, dating back to when people were buying homes (perhaps with glorious Seventies staples like shag carpeting and avocado green kitchens). It’s an acronym for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. You’ve probably heard about SEER rating even if you haven’t purchased an air conditioning system recently.