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SEER RatingsIf you have been researching air conditioners, you have probably come across the term “SEER ratings.” Here’s a look at just what this term means and how it affects cooling efficiency.

What are SEER Ratings?

SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. The higher a SEER rating is for an A/C or heat pump, the more efficiently it can cool your home. The current federally mandated minimum efficiency rating for new equipment is SEER 13, but the most efficient options available today have SEER ratings in the mid-20s.

Why are SEER Ratings Important?

As you shop for a new air conditioner, you compare different features of specific units. The SEER rating is one of the most important considerations you should make because it determines how much you will pay to keep your home cool in the coming summer as well as how much pollution it sends into the air as it runs. Energy Star certified heat pumps and A/Cs start at SEER 14.5 for split systems, the most common variety.

How to Calculate SEER Ratings

All cooling equipment earns a SEER rating so you can make the right choice for your home. SEER is calculated by taking the total cooling capacity over the entire season (in Btu) divided by the electricity consumed in that time (in watt-hours).

What Do SEER Ratings Mean for Overall Energy Efficiency?

For residents of the Tampa area, air conditioning costs are a major monthly expense for much of the year. If you’re willing to invest in a SEER 16 or higher unit, you can expect to see a return on investment thanks to lower energy bills.

Consider that a SEER 16, three-ton air conditioner operating in your Florida home produces about 30,000 fewer pounds of greenhouse gases than a SEER 13, three-ton unit over a 12-year time period. That’s equivalent to planting a four-acre forest or removing three cars from the road every year. Not to mention, you can expect to save thousands of dollars over those 12 years and thus recoup the initial investment you made in purchasing the more efficient equipment.

For more information about SEER ratings, please contact us at Senica Air Conditioning, Inc., Inc. We have proudly served the Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater area since 1993.

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