When it comes to your heating and air conditioning system, you may have heard the term SEER, but do you know what it means? It’s not something you do to meat in a pan and it’s not someone who can use their eyes really well. SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating and has to do with performance of your HVAC system.
The operating efficiency of your heating and air conditioning system greatly affects its performance. Most systems have an outdoor compressor unit that matches an indoor unit. These units are tested together and given and Energy Efficiency Rating. Think about it in terms of gas mileage for your car. The miles per gallon you get determine how efficient your car is.
How a SEER Rating Works
The more your heating or cooling system puts out for each unit of energy it takes in, the higher its rating will be. The higher the rating of your heating and air conditioning system the better it is at consuming less energy. This is good news because it can lead to lower utility bills and has a positive impact on the environment.
What is a good SEER Rating?
This day and age the best air conditioners use 30% to 50% less energy to produce the same amount of cooling as air conditioners in the 1970s. Many older central heating and air conditioning systems have a SEER rating of 6 or less. The minimum SEER rating allowed today is 13. A heating and air conditioning system usually has a lifespan of 15 to 20 years, but even if your system is only 10 years old you may be able to save up to 40% on your energy cooling costs by replacing it with a newer model that has a good SEER rating.
Other ways to increase your system’s energy efficiency
In addition to a SEER rating of 13 or higher, you can help your heating and air conditioning system run more efficiently by:
- Changing your air filters every month
- Installing a programmable thermostat
- Setting your thermostat to maintain the temperature in your home while you’re away
- Making sure ducts are sealed so air doesn’t escape
- Having a professional service inspect your system
To find out the SEER rating for your heating and air conditioning system or to see if you would benefit by installing a new system, contact Experts In Your Home. Our Chico heating and air specialists are here to help.
