What is SEER?
The U.S. Department of Energy or DOE comes together with the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute to create the SEER measurement used by more than 300 manufacturers of air conditioning systems nationwide.
When looking for the best air conditioner, homeowners often focus on energy efficiency when making their decision. SEER ratings are an energy rating system that will help you know exactly how much your central air conditioner or heat pump will cost you in terms of your energy bills.
The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio of an air conditioning unit uses a simple formula that divides the system's cooling output during the cooling season by the amount of energy used. Essentially, SEER is BTUs divided by watt-hours.
Less energy use means the air conditioner will be more energy efficient. Therefore energy-efficient air conditioners will have higher SEER ratings. The ratio will represent the maximum efficiency it can achieve though it could be lower depending on the situation.
SEER testing is performed in a laboratory designed to mimic the indoor and outdoor environments that the system will be exposed to in the region where it is sold. Unfortunately, this testing system, which began in 1992, does not accurately reflect real-world settings, such as central air conditioning with improper air ducts that may use more energy than a home with properly installed air ducts.
To provide a more accurate representation of conditions related to installation in a real home, SEER2 rating new efficiency standards became effective on January 1, 2023. While SEER is still part of the rating system, newer models subjected to new SEER2 requirements will utilize M1 testing, which uses high electrostatic pressure during testing to provide a more accurate energy efficiency rating based on how the energy use will be affected in real homes. In cases where SEER ratings were close to the minimum requirements, the new SEER2 may be too low to make the efficiency of the system too low to pass. If you have a model that has a higher SEER rating, it will likely meet the new minimum requirements under SEER2.
What does a higher SEER ratio mean?
SEER ratings are used to determine the efficiency of your air conditioner. A higher-SEER-rated AC unit will be more efficient, though it will likely be more expensive for the unit's initial cost. Higher SEER air conditioners have other benefits besides providing better energy efficiency. Since they more effectively remove moisture from the air, they will create lower humidity levels in your home.
Energy-efficient conditioners are also better for the environment as they release fewer greenhouse gases into the air and burn fewer fossil fuels. With some models, there are also rebates and incentives which can make the initial investment more affordable. If you want to see how much you can expect to save on your utility bills with a higher SEER AC unit, you can use a SEER rating calculator.
If you are looking for one of the best air conditioners for home’s comfort and savings on your utility bill, you should look for a higher SEER rating.
Where can you find the SEER rating of your unit?
Now that you understand the meaning of SEER, you may wonder where to find this information on your system. You can locate the SEER rating on your current system in a few places. If you are outside, the EnergyGuide sticker on your outdoor unit should have the information you want.
SEER information can also be located on the piece of paper attached to the air handler of your HVAC system. You may also determine the SEER rating from the model number, which may contain the SEER rating in the actual number combination. For example, if a unit had a model number XV20i, the model number is indicating that the system has a SEER of up to 20.
If you cannot locate your SEER rating on your system, contact the manufacturer with your unit’s serial number, and they will be able to provide you with the information.
Why did the Department of Energy update to SEER2?
Periodically the U.S. Department of Energy will review the current procedures for measuring energy efficiency, which is what happened with the 1992 original SEER rating system. After a review, the Department of Energy realized that the SEER rating testing method did not account for external conditions commonly seen in the HVAC field, such as how ductwork is installed, and external static pressure can affect the efficiency and energy use of HVAC equipment.
Now the new testing for SEER2 takes into account these common situations in their calculation to provide a more accurate efficiency rating based on real-world factors. Essentially, the DOE adopted this new form of testing to make sure that the minimum efficiency levels of air conditioners are at the appropriate levels for energy conservation.
How will increasing the SEER levels to SEER2 help?
Part of looking for the best air conditioner is finding one with a low run cost while providing you with the comfort you need during the warmer weather months. This is where changing SEER to SEER2 efficiency minimums will help.
With a move to the new SEER2 home energy efficiency guidelines, the minimum efficiency level should be increased enough to provide most homeowners with a 7% savings on their utility bills. With the crossover to the new minimum requirements, there is expected to be a savings of 300 million kWh over the next 30 years, equal to the power of nearly 27 million households annually. This should translate into utility bill savings of around $38 billion.
Why it matters?
Whether you are looking for the best air conditioner to upgrade your HVAC system or are trying to keep your current one going for a few more years, you may wonder how the new SEERs might affect you.
The SEER2 deadlines for newly manufactured air conditioners took effect on January 1st, 2023. So for buyers looking to purchase a new air conditioner, you will find that the ones for sale should meet the guidelines under SEER2 based on the region you live in. For the Southern regions, the SEER2 rating is 14.3, which would be equivalent to SEER15. For states in the Northern regions, the requirement will be 13.4 for SEERS, which is the equivalent of 14 SEER. The best air conditioners on the market will meet and likely exceed the minimum requirements set forth by SEER2.
Contact Superior Home Supplies for your new SEER2 rated air conditioner
Are you looking for the best air conditioner to provide you with excellent cooling capacity, exceptional humidity control, and savings on your monthly utility bill? Superior Home Supplies has the SEER2-rated HVAC Systems you need. Check out our available inventory, or contact us today at 855-578-7374. Our knowledgeable HVAC sales team can answer your questions or help you find a suitable model for your cooling needs.