One of the key specifications you need to know to understand how an air conditioning system or heat pump works is SEER. This acronym is prominently displayed on the cabinet of ACs and heat pumps, and is connected to whether a particular unit qualifies for the ENERGY STAR label from the U.S. Department of Energy.
Although it is helpful to know what SEER means and why it’s important for a cooling system’s performance, it is only one of a number of important specs. Whether you need installation, repairs, or maintenance for your air conditioning in Wayne, PA, only rely on professionals for the work… don’t attempt it yourself. For fast and thorough service, call on the company with 37 years of experience delivering comfort to homes: Wm. Henderson Plumbing & Heating Inc.
The meaning of SEER
The letters of SEER stand for “seasonal energy efficiency ratio.” It is a measure of how efficiently an air conditioning unit (or a heat pump in cooling mode) converts electrical power into cooling power. The higher the SEER number, the less electricity the system will use to provide cooling.
The ratio is determined by dividing the amount of cooling power a unit provides (measured in BTUs, British Thermal Units) divided by the energy consumed in watt-hours. This is not measured over a single test, but over a whole season, so a homeowner has a good idea of how much energy a system will use during a summer.
Air conditioners tend to fall in a range of 12–22 SEER. In order for a system to receive the ENERGY STAR label, it must have a SEER of at least 14.5. Special high-velocity systems can have SEER in the low 20s.
Heat pumps have a second efficiency rating to go along with SEER: “heating seasonal performance factor” or HSPF. This measures how efficienct the system is at heating, and is determined in the same way as SEER. In general, HSPF is lower than SEER for a given system.
The importance of SEER
The more efficient a system is at converting electrical power into cooling, the less the system will cost to run per year. However, this does not mean that you should choose the highest SEER system possible; higher SEER usually costs more upfront for installation, and SEER is not a guarantee of cooling quality, only efficiency. You need to balance SEER with other considerations to get the best all-around performance.
Also keep in mind that an AC that does not receive regular maintenance will begin to lose efficiency. A 20 SEER air conditioner will become a 15 SEER unit after only four years without maintenance. Make sure you take the best care of your air conditioner so that it lives up to its SEER.
For all the assistance you need for top performance from your air conditioning in Wayne, PA, call Wm. Henderson Plumbing & Heating Inc.