When shopping for a new A/C, it’s important to consider energy efficiency. Will using it all summer send your energy bill through the roof, or can it make your home comfortable without using massive amounts of power? Fortunately, there’s a simple way to find this out. Just look at the SEER rating.
What is a SEER Rating?
Your unit’s Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio measures the amount of cooling it provides your home, for the amount of energy being used, over the course of the current season. The higher the number, the more efficient the system.
Different areas have different needs and different regulations when it comes to SEER. The minimum mandated rating for A/C systems in Alberta is 14.5. The very highest-efficiency systems are rated between 21 and 25. Do you need something rated that highly?
Finding the Right SEER for You
You don’t necessarily need to buy the highest SEER-rated A/C to save energy. For one thing, the higher the SEER, the more expensive the system. Even with the money you’ll save in the long run, it may be hard to justify the higher price.
Second, it’s important to note that just because your unit is rated SEER 25, doesn’t mean your entire system is up to that level of efficiency. There are a variety of other factors that drive your efficiency up or down. You may have air leaks or problems with your ductwork. Your thermostat settings might be off. A clogged filter, a bad component, or any of a dozen other issues, could be causing your system to run less efficiently.
Take a look at these other issues and see if you can lower your overall energy usage. Then, talk to your HVAC Project Manager and ask him/her to help you find the A/C unit that best suits your home, including SEER rating and other factors. With a little effort, your system can save you energy without costing you an arm and a leg.
For help choosing the best SEER rating for your home, contact us at Arpi’s Industries today. We’re Calgary’s trusted source for quality HVAC solutions.
