SEER: What It Is and Why It’s Important
If you’re in the market for a new cooling system, energy efficiency is an important consideration. A more efficient system will be cheaper to run monthly throughout the summer. It will also lower your overall energy consumption and your household’s environmental impact. What Is SEER? The HVAC industry uses a seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) to measure cooling performance. The Department of Energy (DOE) introduced this ratio in 1979 as a convenient tool for consumers. The higher the number, the more efficient and affordable the system. If comparing a SEER 15 to a SEER 14, for instance, the former will be cheaper to run. The DOE regulates the SEER rating system and requires companies to include it with any appliance with an EnergyGuide label. This EnergyGuide label is a yellow sticker for any appliance that meets certain energy consumption thresholds. SEER2 SEER measures how much electricity a cooling system uses to maintain a temperature. This represents most of a household’s energy to cool its home during the summer. Since 1979, the industry has learned that pipes contribute to energy losses. That loss can be about 5% even in a new system and rise to between 20% and 40% over time....
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