Understanding SEER Ratings for Your Goshen, IN HVAC Unit

If you’re currently in the market for a new HVAC system for your Goshen, IN home, then energy efficiency should be top-of-mind in your buying process. After all, modern air conditioners are more efficient than units that were produced even a few years ago. But how can you tell if your new air conditioner is going to help you realize real savings on your energy bill? The key to all of this lies in understanding the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) of your air conditioning unit.

What is SEER and Why is it Important?

As defined by the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) in 2008, SEER measures an HVAC system’s average heating and cooling output during heating and cooling seasons, and weighs it against the amount of electricity required to achieve that output. The higher the SEER rating on any given unit, the more energy efficient that unit’s performance will be.

This rating is important for a couple of reasons. For starters, it’s possible to use SEER to figure out what the annual costs will be for running your air conditioner and heater. Secondly, units with high SEER ratings are typically eligible for government energy efficiency rebates. That means more money in your pocket when it comes time to install one of these units.

What is a Good SEER Rating for My Goshen, Indiana Air Conditioner?

As we mentioned earlier, higher SEER ratings mean more energy efficiency for your unit. Thanks to 2015 regulation changes by the U.S. Department of Energy, the minimum SEER rating for modern air conditioners is 13 (and it should be noted that it’s higher in the Southeast and Southwest). The majority of AC systems you see on the market will generally range from 13 to 21 SEER. Anything on the higher end of that scale would qualify as a “good” SEER Rating; however, Carrier offers systems that can surpass 20 SEER, which is a very good SEER Rating.

How efficient is your Goshen, IN air conditioning system? Is it more than 10 years old, or does it use R-22 coolant? If your answer to either two of the latter questions is “yes,” then it’s about time to start considering installing a new AC unit. Check out our AC installation services and give Rex’s Heating and Cooling a call today at (574) 500-2867.

Image courtesy of Carrier Inc.