SEER and EER
Should we use SEER or EER to measure the energy efficiency of an A/C system? Brett explains the difference.
In this video we’re wrapping up the fourth in a series of four. Today’s video is about energy efficiency in air conditioning units.
Here’s the deal with energy efficiency: it’s the easiest of all four choices. When we get into energy efficiency, think about how long are you gonna stay in your home. Are you gonna be in your home two years, five years, over five years? The longer you’re in your home, the better investment decision it is to buy higher efficiency equipment.
Think about it as an investment: it’s one of the best rates of return you can get on that incremental cost when you’re looking at an air conditioning system.
The most common way of measuring efficiency is SEER: that acronym stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. This is sort of like “miles per gallon” in a car and it gives you a pretty good idea of what you’re gonna be spending as it’s compared to other systems.
So I’m comparing one brand to another, one SEER to another: this is the best unit of measurement.
When you’re looking at it though, you might hear another term: EER — that’s the Energy Efficiency Ratio, and that’s what utility companies and the government are using when they’re calculating rebates and different types of incentives on energy efficiency.
But stick with SEER. It will be your best yardstick when you’re going through these.
Utility companies take into consideration how long you’re gonna stay in the home; investing in energy efficiency will pay you back typically in about four years.
So look at the efficiency, get the inverter technology if you can, and put the money back in your pocket not in the utility companies.
This wraps up the fourth in a series of how to choose the best air conditioning system for your home. Thanks for watching!
Bret Wright, President