Understanding SEER Ratings
SEER Ratings and Your Home’s HVAC System
The Southern California climate can be extreme as the seasons change and temperatures rise, creating a need for efficient and reliable HVAC systems that can withstand the work we require of them. At Earl’s Air Conditioning, we hope to educate our customers on the differences in AC systems and their efficiency so that you can be an informed consumer. This also helps you to have confidence in the products we install and the systems you choose to incorporate into your home’s comfort system. One aspect of home comfort is the HVAC system that you choose, which will be given a SEER rating during manufacturing.
The SEER rating system helps homeowners know how much they can expect of their air conditioner and what to look for when installing a new system. SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio and stands as a measurement of how much energy to cooling-output in watts-hours that your AC unit will use and create over a one-year duration.
Our team is here to help you choose the right HVAC system for your family and home, but it helps to know more about how AC units are rated before you install. Contact our team to discuss your heating and cooling needs in Coachella Valley and read on to learn more about SEER ratings for HVAC systems.
Call Earl’s Air Conditioning today to schedule an appointment.
What Is a SEER Rating?
Manufacturers are required by the US Department of Energy (DOE) to meet minimum efficiency ratings as identified by the SEER rating. SEER ratings range from 13 to 25. The higher the number a unit is rated, the more efficient the system which translates to lower utility bills and less energy consumption. In high summer climate states (like California) the DOE requires a minimum SEER rating of 14 as of 2015.
SEER ratings help homeowners compare systems to determine which will be most efficient while factoring in their budget and the existing components in their home. These ratings for AC units, insulation, home size, and your area’s utility prices all compile into the decision you make and the savings and efficiency you will experience.
Factors that Determine Your HVAC Decisions
Unfortunately, during the purchasing and installation stages of equipping your home with a new HVAC system, you may notice that AC units with the highest SEER ratings come with higher price tags. Building a better AC unit means it may cost a bit more.
Luckily, this money is recouped in the savings as you put that system to use and reduce your energy consumption over time. One thing to keep an eye out for is the EnergyStar-approved units. These AC units must have a SEER rating of 14.5 or higher to receive approval, which additionally informs consumers that they meet California’s minimum requirement of 14 SEER.
Remember, SEER ratings are also the maximum efficiency rating, so conditions like accumulated dirt and dust on the unit, aging units, and weather factors can diminish the actual output and efficiency. As your HVAC system ages with your home, insulation breaks down, and your ducts develop potential leaks, the efficiency goes down, especially when these factors create strain on the unit and the system as a whole. High heat and leaky ducts put quite a bit of strain on your AC unit to keep your house cool.
Beat the Coachella Valley Heat with a High-Efficiency AC System
Whether you need to repair and maintain your existing HVAC system for your Coachella Valley home or are interested in a whole new system, the team at Earl’s Air Conditioning can help. We are here to help you understand what the AC SEER ratings mean and how each different unit may or may not work for your family’s needs. Let our team of Coachella Valley HVAC professionals help you find the right fit for AC units and HVAC systems.
Contact the Coachella Valley air conditioning experts at Earl’s Air Conditioning today. We can help you beat the heat and reduce your energy consumption!