HVAC
Indoor air purification in San Antonio, TX

When researching a new air conditioner or heat pump for your home, you may encounter the seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER). It’s a powerful tool that the industry uses to protect consumers and the environment. Homeowners can also use it to make wise buying decisions and save money in the long term. With that in mind, let’s explore everything you should know about this rating system.

Federal Regulation

In the U.S., the federal government regulates HVAC systems and other major appliances. These regulations usually apply to manufacturers to lower energy consumption nationwide and protect consumers and the environment. SEER is one tool used for such regulations.

Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute

The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) is a North American trade association. It develops many industry standards, including AHRI Standard 210/240-2008, which explains SEER and other HVAC metrics. Another trade association, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers, helped AHRI develop SEER. Today, AHRI remains responsible for maintaining SEER and updating it as needed.

Department of Energy

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is responsible for establishing federal regulations for HVAC equipment and other high-consumption appliances. DOE regulations are legal requirements for manufacturers. When the DOE updates the SEER requirements, it will set a future date when they go into effect. Manufacturers must then stop making and selling lesser systems before that date.

The DOE tasked the AHRI with developing SEER in the 1970s. It uses it as the primary energy efficiency metric for cooling among both air conditioners and heat pumps. It’s also important to note that the DOE organizes the U.S. into three regions: North, Southeast, and Southwest. That allows it to establish different SEER minimums for the Southeast and Southwest compared to the North based on several factors, including outdoor temperatures.

Environmental Protection Agency

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is a federal agency that focuses on human and environmental health. It often provides the DOE with SEER-related data and research. The EPA also partners with the DOE on the ENERGY STAR program.

SEER

The industry intends the SEER rating as an easily digestible number for consumers. The higher the value, the more efficient the system.

How the Industry Calculates SEER

The U.S. HVAC industry measures cooling and heating output in British thermal units (BTUs). Calculating SEER is relatively simple in concept. You divide the cooling output in BTUs by the total electrical input required over a typical cooling season. Electrical energy input refers to watt-hours or kilowatt-hours in this context. A typical cooling season is a bit more nebulous. To standardize it, the AHRI sets laboratory testing conditions. These include outdoor temperature and relative humidity (RH) and target indoor temperature and RH. A lab then tests the equipment over a set period to determine the total electrical input.

What SEER Means for Consumers

Consumers can expect that every air conditioner and heat pump for sale in their regions meets the DOE’s standards. If a unit’s SEER is higher than the minimum, you know that it will use less electricity over the summer. In other words, the higher the SEER, the lower your monthly electricity bill and your household’s carbon footprint.

How Consumers Should Use SEER

If limiting your system’s environmental impact is the top concern, choose the system with the highest SEER rating you can afford. However, many homeowners are more concerned about how much it will cost to cool their homes. High-SEER air conditioners and heat pumps cost more to purchase. You should consult an HVAC professional to determine if the long-term savings you can expect justify paying for a system with a top-tier rating.

Other Ratings You Will See

Consumers may encounter several other ratings besides SEER. Here are three you should know about as they relate to SEER.

EER

Energy efficiency ratio (EER) indicates a system’s efficiency at peak performance. SEER, on the other hand, indicates efficiency relative to real-world usage over time. If cooling a home in a very hot climate, EER can be a better indicator of costs. For the average U.S. homeowner, SEER better reflects what a system will cost them over a cooling season.

SEER2

As HVAC science has developed, the industry better understands the importance of static air pressure. When AHRI first developed SEER, they did not account for conditioned air loss in forced air systems. Ductwork can lose up to 5% of cooled air even when new, which undermines efficiency.

SEER2 is a newer version of the AHRI metric that accounts for this conditioned air loss and a few other factors. If purchasing a ducted system, you should use SEER2 instead. Note that you should not compare SEER2 to SEER or vice versa. In the future, the new version will take the place of the original SEER.

HSPF

Heating seasonal performance factor (HSPF) is a metric that applies to heat pumps but not air conditioners. It’s similar to SEER but measures heating efficiency over a heating season. As with SEER, AHRI currently maintains an HSPF and HSPF2 rating.

Where Consumers Can Find SEER Ratings

The Federal Trade Commission requires all major appliances sold in the U.S. to have an EnergyGuide label. It’s a large, yellow sticker found on the appliance itself and, in some cases, the packaging. An EnergyGuide label provides the relevant information a consumer needs to make a buying decision. In this case, that includes SEER, SEER2, kilowatt-hours, and estimated operating costs. If shopping online, manufacturers and retailers must provide these labels via their websites.

ENERGY STAR

When establishing SEER minimums, the DOE must balance environmental impact with the practical needs of the nation. The EPA can have much loftier goals, such as higher SEER ratings, and the ENERGY STAR program is one outlet for this. Through the program, the EPA can award ENERGY STAR certification to HVAC equipment and other appliances that meet its higher standards. That certification gives consumers confidence in their buying decisions and may make them eligible for energy incentives. Earning certification requires meeting efficiency and usability standards through independent lab testing.

Tax Credits & Rebates

There are many energy incentives available for air conditioners and heat pumps. Such incentives can make a new system more affordable and help you recoup the added investment in a high-SEER system sooner. Nearly all incentives require ENERGY STAR certification.

U.S. homeowners have access to a federal heat pump rebate worth $4,000 or $8,000, depending on income level. If you’re not eligible for the rebate, you may be able to claim the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit. It’s worth 30% of your total costs, up to $2,000.

There are also rebates available through manufacturers, utility companies, and state-level programs. To find all the offers available in your area, search the ENERGY STAR website by zip code.

Learn More About SEER Ratings in San Antonio

Air Authority, A Riteway Service Company is an HVAC contractor located in San Antonio, TX. We have over a decade of industry experience in the region and serve both residential and commercial clients. We install air conditioners and heat pumps from the top brands and offer free installation quotes and financing on approved credit. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced technicians.

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