SEER!

Source: http://www.residential.carrier.com/knowledge/efficiency/ratings.shtml Energy Efficiency in Air Conditioners is rated by SEER, which stands for: Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. In 1992, the SEER rating was set at 10. Now it is at 13. Depending on when you had your central air conditioner installed, your unit may be operating a SEER of 6 or 7 or even 10. Each time a seer rating increases, the savings goes up by a percentage. For example, a 13 SEER is 30% more efficient than a 10 SEER. Concurrently, each time the efficiency goes up, the more money you save on your energy bill. According to http://www.eesi.org/publications/Fact%20Sheets/acfactsheet.htm, the Environmental and Energy Study Institute explains some common myths about SEER ratings and the corresponding factual evidence.

Myth #2: Utility bill savings will not cover the cost of going to a SEER 13 standard. FACTS: • The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) estimates that the incremental cost of a SEER 13 unit relative to today’s minimum standard SEER 10 unit will be about $171. With typical household savings of $48 per year based on current national average electricity prices, the higher standard pays for itself in about 3.5 years. Central air conditioners last about 18 years. • If prices for power go up (particularly in the summer), the consumer payback will be even quicker. • History shows that manufacturers’ predictions of huge price increases due to higher standards prove false. In the 1980s, the air conditioner industry predicted that the 1992 standard would increase prices by more than $700. U.S. Department of Commerce data show that prices did not go up at all. Now, some manufacturers are again claiming a new standard will increase prices by more than $700. • The truth is that the market determines prices, not industry or government projections. When faced with the need to compete for the business of price-conscious consumers, manufacturers have a very good track record of meeting standards with minimal price increases. Myth #3: The higher standard will prevent people from replacing their old air conditioners because of the extra cost. As a result, people will stick with old, inefficient air conditioners causing the nation to use more energy. FACT: SEER 13 adds three to eight percent to the cost of a purchase relative to a SEER 10 unit. When compared to the weaker SEER 12 standard that some in the industry and the Bush Administration support, the price difference is even smaller (about 2 to 4 percent). It would seem unlikely that droves of consumers will decide to repair rather than replace an old broken-down energy-hog system over such a small price differential on a $2,000 to $5,000 purchase. Myth #4: SEER 13 units are much bigger than SEER 10 or SEER 12 units, so major renovations will be required to fit them into existing homes. FACT: Some SEER 13 units are significantly bigger, but many are not. For example, Goodman Manufacturing makes SEER 13 units using non-proprietary technology that are only about three inches larger than their basic units. The size of the unit depends on the technologies that a manufacturer uses to improve efficiency; SEER 13 units of all sizes are made now and will be available in the future.

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Is “High Efficiency” really worth it?

By Federal law, the minimum efficiencies that can be sold in California are 13 SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) for residential cooling products and 80% AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) for gas heating products. SEERS can range as high as 21 seer and AFUES can go as high as 96% AFUE. These translate into operating savings of about 25% on cooling and 17% on heating. If comparing against a 20 year old condenser the operating savings goes to about 65% for cooling and 40% for heating. Payback of the initial cost difference in some cases can be realized in 4 to 7 years, depending on how often you use the heating and air conditioning systems. http://www.coolairsolutions.com/F.A.Q.html

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http://www.aps.com/_files/services/ResFAQ/highseer.pdf is a downloadable PDF (also available as a HTML document - to view online if you prefer). According to the Arizona Public Service Company, the Seer efficiency ratings are important for many different reasons. One of them includes protecting the environment.

“On a larger scale, the energy conserved by your high-efficiency unit (12 SEER or greater) will lessen your home’s impact on our environment. With an efficient heating and cooling system, you can save money and also help preserve natural resources.”

You can estimate about how much SEER your current air conditioner is operating at by looking up the year it was installed. According to APS, these are some years and corresponding seer numbers to help you figure out your energy usage.

“Estimate your older unit Seer rating: Pre-1980 – SEER rating of 6 or less 1980-1985 – SEER rating of 7 1986-1991 – SEER rating of 8” © 1999, Arizona Public Service Company – MM-5K-0699-AS

Remember how much money you can save using the chart at the top of the page! A higher seer definitely saves on your bills. Maybe an increase in comfort and energy efficiency is worth upgrading to an energy saving product.