When you’re looking into an air conditioner replacement, you’ll find that the HVAC industry is riddled with acronyms and perplexing terms. You’ll want to familiarize yourself with some of these acronyms and other common terms to be able to successfully research your purchase—especially the terms that help describe energy efficiency. Let’s go through some of these terms.
What is EER?
EER is an acronym for “energy-efficiency ratio.” It measures the energy efficiency of an air conditioner when the outdoor temperature is at or above a certain temperature. It’s best to go with the higher ratings on this one because the higher the EER rating is, the more energy efficient the model is. You could be seeing lower utility bills in no time.
ENERGY STAR® Certification
You’ve probably heard of ENERGY STAR certification, but it’s not usually explained very well. ENERGY STAR was established in 1992 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The goal was to protect the environment while at the same time saving consumer’s money on energy by using more energy-efficient products. Products must pass rigorous third-party testing and meet all of the requirements to become ENERGY STAR certified. So, when you spot the blue ENERGY STAR label while you’re shopping for an air conditioner replacement, you can count on it saving you money.
ENERGY STAR - Most Efficient
The ENERGY STAR Most Efficient designation recognizes the products with the highest efficiency among those that are ENERGY STAR certified. These extraordinary products represent the leading edge in energy efficient products every year.
SEER – Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio
The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) represents a measurement of your air conditioner’s or heat pump’s cooling efficiency. The major difference between SEER ratings and EER ratings is that SEER measures an air conditioner’s efficiency over the entire cooling season, rather than its efficiency at a set temperature level. Like the EER ratings, higher the SEER ratings show the system has better energy efficiency. More energy efficiency leads to more money savings and a lower impact on the environment. If you have an older air conditioner, the SEER rating could be as low as 8, while recent, more efficient models range from ratings of 13 – 23.
You’ll certainly find more acronyms and unfamiliar terms when you are looking into your air conditioner replacement, but you’ll be more knowledgeable by understanding these terms. If you have any questions about terminology you come across in your research or if you need help with your air conditioner replacement, call Farnell Heating & Air Conditioning Inc in Mobile at 251-471-2674.