September 4, 2024

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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June 13, 2024

Is it Time to Replace or Repair Your AC Unit? How to Make the Right Choice

If you live here in Palm Desert, CA, you already know that your home’s AC is more than a modern convenience. Without it, it would be almost impossible to make it through a summer here. At the same time, your home’s air conditioning system is a significant investment. So, it would make sense that you’d want to prolong the life of your existing system as much as possible. However, at a certain point, spending more money to repair your AC is a bad idea. Here is everything you need to consider to determine when it’s time for an AC replacement. Your AC’s Age On average, you can expect between 10 and 15 years of reliable service from a well-maintained AC. So, if your home’s AC is nearing that age, it may be time to consider a replacement. There are a variety of reasons why doing so is a good idea. One is that it will afford you the time necessary to make a smart replacement decision. The last thing you want is to have your home’s AC die at the peak of summer. If that happens, you’ll be more concerned with getting any replacement than the right one for your...

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