AC Efficiency - SEER Ratings Do Matter!
As you probably know, central air conditioners are rated
according their Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, also referred to as a SEER
rating. This rating represents the relative amount of energy needed to provide
a specific cooling output. While many older systems have SEER ratings of 6 or
less, the minimum SEER rating allowed today is 13, with the highest efficiency
systems ranging somewhere around 18 or 20!
As a general rule, the higher the SEER rating, the more
efficient the AC system will be. It’s important to look for the ENERGY STAR
label for central air conditioners with SEER ratings of 13 or greater, but we
encourage you to consider using air conditioning equipment with even higher
SEER ratings for greater savings, and more environmentally responsible
operation.
