SEER – Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio is a metric that is used to measure how much cooling power an air conditioning system puts out for each watt of energy that the system consumes over an entire season. Simply put – the higher the SEER rating is for your cooling system the more energy efficient your air conditioner will operate.
Homeowners in the market for a new cooling system are often times concerned about how they can conserve energy and reduce their energy bills without minimizing the comfort levels in their homes. Wanting also to invest in a system that contributes to a ‘green’ environment and is every bit eco-friendly, familiarizing yourself with SEER ratings can certainly help you accomplish this.
Here at South Nashville Heating and Cooling we are all about our clients. Helping homeowners to understand SEER ratings is just one of the many services we provide. We want to help you understand the importance of your cooling system’s SEER rating and its value. Today, SEER values on new cooling systems range between 13 or 14 at the low end of the rating and 23 on the higher end. Ratings that come in higher than the 23 are a surefire indication that the cooling system will run efficiently and definitely conserve energy while saving you money. Further, units with higher ratings emit far less carbon monoxide into your home’s atmosphere minimizing your concerns about your carbon footprint as well.
New air conditioning units come with ratings that contribute to high levels of energy conservation. The higher the rating, the greater the purchase price of the new unit. Keep in mind, though your purchase may cost more up front, over time units with higher SEER ratings will help to conserve energy and reduce utility bills greatly. On the flip side, if you own a cooling system that is greater than 10 years old, then chances are your rating is closer to an 8 or 10. With these low ratings energy consumption is much higher and energy conservation at a minimum.
In order to determine the best SEER rating for your new air conditioning system, it is important to take into consideration the size of your home and your climate. In addition, you should factor in the size of your current system, how often you intend to use the new system and how long you plan on living in your home. All of these factors play an important role in determining the appropriate SEER rating for your new cooling system.
The U.S. Department of Energy has put together a SEER rating scale. For your Nashville home and other homes in southern USA as well as homes in the southwestern states, the minimum rating is 14.5 SEER for heat pumps, and 16 SEER for air conditioners. If you purchase a cooling system for your Nashville home with a rating of 14.5 or greater, you will qualify for energy rebates that are distributed by your local utility company. Also, you will find that you will experience fewer air conditioning repairs while enjoying lower cooling costs.
Though purchasing an energy efficient cooling system will certainly contribute to savings and high levels of comfort in your home, ensuring that your system is installed properly is necessary to its effectiveness and its overall functionality. That is where the professionals here at South Nashville Heating and Cooling come in. Our highly skilled and trained technicians have all the know how needed to optimally configure your new cooling system to provide you and your family with maximum comfort. With that said, if you are in the market for a new air conditioning or cooling system, you have surely come to the right place.
Give a shout out to our certified and licensed techs today and let us help you choose the ideal cooling system for your Nashville home. We look forward to providing you with all your HVAC needs and to ensuring both the comfort and safety of your family month after month, year after year
