With incentives like rebates, offered by electric companies, and tax credits, you have probably at least heard of the acronym SEER. What does it mean?
Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER), is most commonly used to measure the efficiency of a central cooling system, either with an air conditioner or heat pump. The SEER rating is based on the combination of the indoor and outdoor unit together. The higher the SEER rating the more efficient the system. SEER measures how efficiently a cooling system will operate over an entire season.
In technical terms, SEER is a measure of the total cooling of a central air conditioner or heat pump (in Btu) during the normal cooling season as compared to the total electric energy input (in watt-hours) consumed during the same period.
Make sure that when an HVAC salesman gives you a quote for a new system, that they also provide you with the AHRI certificate as proof of the SEER rating quoted. Don’t let anyone fool you and say you don’t need one. Every air conditioning/heat pump system will have a certificate and certificates are required for most utility rebates.
If you have any questions about how a new HVAC system could improve the efficiency of your home, or if you need a second opinion on a bid you’ve already received, call us – we’d be more than happy to help!
