What is SEER and Why Does it Matter?

If you have an air conditioning system installed in your home, chances are you know that it increases your energy usage. Large equipment like air conditioning uses a great deal of energy. In fact, the Department of Energy indicates that the average household uses about six percent of its annual utility budget on home cooling. What can you do to improve the efficiency of your home’s AC system? The first step is understanding how it uses energy.

SEER, Defined

All cooling equipment has a SEER rating. Often, this rating is posted directly on the equipment. But, what does it mean? SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. In simple terms, a SEER rating is developed by calculating the amount of cooling the unit puts out divided by the amount of energy it takes to make the system operate properly. The higher the SEER rating on an air conditioning system, the more efficient it is. As a result, homeowners should pay close attention to the SEER rating on the AC unit they choose to install and opt for the system with the best efficiency in accordance with their budget.

A Comparison of SEER Ratings

Older units (those that were produced 20 years ago, for instance) had a SEER rating of around 9. As you can imagine, these older systems required a lot of energy to cool homes. If you have a system that old in your home, it’s likely that you’re paying much more for home cooling than you could be with a modern system, even one with a SEER rating of 13 or 14. Because of this, it is often more cost-effective in the long run to replace an old system.

Modern air conditioning systems generally have a minimum rating of 14 SEER, but there are systems available that are even more energy-efficient. And, ductless air conditioning systems often offer a SEER rating of up to 23. That could mean huge energy savings over an old AC system. Look for ENERGY STAR-certified products to ensure the best SEER ratings possible.

How to Improve Your Air Conditioning System’s Efficiency

Of course, if you have a fairly new air conditioning system you likely will not want to replace it. But, if you’re like most homeowners, you’d probably like to make sure it’s operating as efficiently as possible. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to help it use less energy and operate more effectively. Learn more:

• Keep windows closed while your air conditioning system is operating. That way, you’re keeping the warm air outside, and the cooled air in your living space. And that means your system won’t have to work as hard.
• Use appliances that add heat to your home less often during warm weather. Your dryer can add heat to your home, so consider using a clothesline or a drying rack to dry clothing and linens on hot days. And, make use of your outdoor grill or slow cooker when possible.
• Turn off ventilation fans when not in use. Use the fans in your kitchen and bath to draw the heat away while cooking and bathing, of course, but turn them off when done so they’re not drawing your cooled air out of the home.
• Use curtains or blinds to block the sun in your home. The heat from direct sunlight can warm up your home quickly, so when the sun is at its peak, make sure you draw your curtains and blinds to prevent your home from warming up – and your AC from working harder than necessary.
• Make sure you get annual preventive maintenance on your air conditioning system. This will ensure that your system and filters are clean, and all components are in good working order – helping your AC maintain its effectiveness and efficiency.

How Boelcke Can Help

At Boelcke, it’s always our goal to not only help you stay as comfortable as possible but to help you save energy – and ultimately money on your utility bills – as well. If you’d like to learn more about SEER ratings, and if your system is as efficient as it should be, just give us a call at (269) 429-9261. We’ll be happy to assist you.