SEER Ratings Made Simple

Everyone likes to save money and help the environment. Installing an energy efficient central air conditioning system or replacing your outdated one is a great way to do both. Installing an efficient AC system is especially important in areas like Florida, where the cost of cooling your home can be significant. It is important to install a system with a good SEER efficiency rating. What is a SEER rating? In this article, we will go over exactly what it is and what this efficiency rating means to you. SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio of air conditioning units. The higher the rating, the greater the efficiency. This means when you are shopping for a new air conditioner, you want to find one with the highest rating possible. Since January 2015, the federal government has mandated that all new central AC equipment be at least SEER-14 in the Southern half of the United States, but there are units that go as high as SEER-23. In areas like Florida where systems are running the majority of the time, Volusia & Flagler recommend a system with at least a SEER-16 rating. There are two big reasons to install a SEER-16 or higher system. One is to save money, and the other is to save the environment. You can save thousands of dollars over the AC system’s lifetime, and lower your monthly utility bills considerably. A newer system also has a large impact on our environment. For example, an AC system with a SEER rating of 8 will put out 200,000 pounds of CO2 over its lifetime, while a SEER rating of 23 emits only about 52,000 pounds of CO2. Purchasing a more efficient air conditioner can significantly reduce your carbon footprint and is a much more environmentally friendly alternative. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, air conditioners have come a long way since the 1970s. They use approximately 40% less energy to cool the same space. Even if you have a central air conditioning system that is less than 12 years old, replacing it with a newer, higher rated model could save you about 30% on your cooling costs. Make sure you also hire a reputable HVAC contractor like Volusia & Flager Heating and Air, because a modern, energy efficient air conditioner will not perform properly without correct professional installation. We will insure your system: is installed in the right location; uses the correct duct sizing; has enough supply registers; has the precise refrigerant charge and rate of airflow stated by the manufacturer; and much more. The trusted professionals at Volusia & Flagler Heating and Air are ready to help you get the most efficient system possible, and install it properly. We also do repairs, maintenance and emergency services. Keeping cool in the hot Florida climate is very important, and so is installing a central air conditioning system that is SEER rated 16 or higher. If you are ready to save money and reduce your carbon footprint, call us in Daytona Beach at 386-252-1247 to make an appointment today.