SEER
Definition
An acronym for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating, measure of heat pump and air conditioning efficiency (as defined by the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute in its AHRI 210/240 standard).Things you need to know
The higher the SEER rating, the more efficient the unit. The more efficient the unit, the cheaper it is to operate (meaning lower energy bills). The U.S. Department of Energy rates 13 as the minimum for contemporary systems, but old units can have a SEER rating as low as 8 or 10. Highly efficient units have SEER ratings of 20-25.
Also known as
Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating
Cost Considerations
Higher-SEER units are more expensive to buy. Therefore, when calculating operation costs, it is important to keep in mind how often you use your system.
Costs vary greatly by region (and even by zip code). To get free estimates from local contractors, please indicate yours.
