While in many areas of the country homeowners are still dealing with the chilliest of winter temperatures, we know that with spring right around the corner, temperatures can warm back up real quick! So if your air conditioner was on its last leg this past summer, now is the time to start looking into a replacement. This isn’t a decision you want to rush into—you should make sure your new AC system is properly matched to the type of home you have and your individual comfort needs.
You’ll also want to look into SEER ratings when making your decision, too.
Wait, unsure what SEER means? Well, it’s an energy efficiency rating that applies to all central air conditioner and heat pump systems. Knowing the efficiency rating of your new air conditioner could be the difference between affordable comfort and astronomically high energy bills.
Read on as we uncover more about what SEER is and what it means.
Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio
First, SEER stands for seasonal energy efficiency ratio. It’s a rating that defines the cooling output of a system during a standard cooling season and is divided by the total electric energy input during that same period. In layman’s terms, it means it’s the ratio of energy consumed to cooling provided.
Older air conditioners have a lower SEER rating than the modern systems of today. So this means you’re likely paying a lot more month-to-month than you would with a newer, higher SEER air conditioning system.
So, if you’re looking for a highly-efficient heat pump or air conditioning system, does that mean you should buy the one with the highest SEER rating possible? Well, yes, but there’s a caveat. You want one with the highest SEER possible, but within your budget and properly matched to your home.
For instance, ductless heat pumps are a great choice for many homes. Due to their setup and how homeowners use them, they’re often more efficient than central air conditioners by default. But if you have a small home or no need for individual air handlers, it might not make sense for you to spend the initial cost on ductless installation when it’s generally more affordable to install a central air conditioner. In that case, you’d be better off with a central air conditioner with a higher SEER rating, while another home may benefit most from a ductless system with a lower SEER rating.
“Okay, How Do I Decide on an AC System Then?!”
By now you may feel like your head is spinning. Not to worry! Our team is here to help. We can give you all the information you need to make an educated decision about your air conditioning system by coming out and taking a look at your home, doing a cooling load calculation, and talking to you about your specific needs. We look forward to helping you improve and maintain the comfort of your home and your family.
For a trustworthy HVAC company in Woodstock, GA, look no further than Dayco Systems. Contact us today!
