Paying attention to the AC rating when shopping for air conditioning helps you make the right selection based on the performance and efficiency of a specific unit. Generally speaking, the most efficient units are also the best performers when it comes to maintaining optimum cool comfort in the house.
For central air conditioners, the applicable AC rating is called SEER. Short for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, this numeral represents the BTUs of cooling capacity per the amount of electrical energy consumed, calculated over a typical summer cooling season. Units are tested under laboratory conditions and the end result is a SEER rating that provides important consumer information at a glance: The higher the SEER rating, the more efficient and effective the air conditioner will be.
Standard vs. High Efficiency SEER
Today’s air conditioners are required by Department of Energy regulations to meet a minimum SEER rating of at least 13 in most states, with units sold in the Southwest required to meet a SEER rating of 14. These are considered standard-efficiency units. From that starting point, the SEER rating climbs as high as 25 for today’s high-efficiency air conditioners. However, the typical SEER range for most homes is between 13 and 21.
SEER Caveats
It’s important to keep in mind that, while a higher SEER rating typically delivers lower operating costs due to reduced electricity consumption, air conditioners with SEER ratings in the high-efficiency range also come at a higher purchase price.
- Careful shoppers must strike a balance between lower monthly cooling costs versus a higher upfront sticker price.
- At some point in the service life of the air conditioner, the savings on lower monthly operating costs will compensate for the steeper price of a high-efficiency unit.
- A professional HVAC contractor can help you make the best decision that takes into account your budget, cooling requirements and the acceptable time frame to recoup the higher sticker price in order to determine the optimum AC rating.
For more about how the SEER AC rating helps homeowners make informed buying decisions, contact the pros at Ace Hardware Home Services.
