What’s a ‘SEER’ Rating and Why Does It Matter?

Learn the Lingo to Cool Smarter, Not Harder

No one taught you how to purchase an air conditioner during your school days. Chances are you learned about proper sentence structure, math rules and scientific principles. But learning how to keep your home comfortable and reduce your energy bills? Those things didn’t make it into the curriculum.

That’s why we have the Buehler blog. We like to think we’re too cool for school, which is why we put all of the tips and tricks right on our website! This month, we’re talking about “SEER.” It’s a term many people aren’t familiar with. But when it comes to air conditioners, it’s something every homeowner should know about before scheduling air conditioning replacement in Jacksonville, FL.

First, the Meaning

“SEER” stands for seasonal energy efficiency ratio. It’s a numeric rating that’s calculated by taking the total cooling output of an air conditioner over the course of a cooling season and dividing it by the total amount of energy the system consumes. If that made your head spin, don’t worry. In simpler terms, the SEER measures the overall efficiency of the unit. The higher the SEER, the more energy-efficient your unit is and the more money you’ll save over time. So when it’s time to upgrade and purchase a new air conditioner, you absolutely want to know the SEER rating before making a decision.

During a consultation, our technicians will explain the differences in SEER ratings and what you can expect with your equipment. For example, a 14-SEER air conditioner will have a lower upfront cost than a 21-SEER. But over time, the 21-SEER will use less energy and result in higher long-term savings. So a lot of it comes down to your budget and whether you want to invest in a high-SEER model. If you choose to go this route, it’s important to make sure your home itself is energy efficient. Things like poor insulation and holes near the windows and doors will negate the benefits of a high-SEER system. If you invest in a highly efficient air conditioner, you want to make sure you’ll experience the savings and comfort the system was designed to deliver.

The Difference Between Single-Stage and Multi-Stage

We already mentioned that air conditioners with higher SEER ratings deliver higher long-term savings. But there’s something else we want to mention.

Low-SEER models typically run in a single stage, which means they will always run at the same speed. As the SEER rating gets higher, it increases the likelihood that the system delivers multi-stage cooling. This means it can run at varied speeds, depending on how hot the home is. Multi-stage offers a gentler form of cooling and helps reduce hot and cold spots. We all love our air conditioning, but sometimes those blasts of cool air are too much. Just as slow cookers cook food low and slow, multi-stage air conditioners operate in the same fashion. This gives you the best of both worlds: Better indoor comfort and maximum long-term savings.

Beat the Heat With Buehler

We’re big believers in the idea that knowledge is power. By learning the industry lingo and familiarizing yourself with “SEER,” you are better equipped to make smart decisions for your comfort. Terms and technology in the industry might change. But what doesn’t change is our commitment to keeping you informed and feeling confident with your decisions. What can we say? It’s the inner teacher in us!

From our family to yours, we want to wish you a safe and joyful summer season! Schedule service directly by calling the HVAC Pros at Buehler Air Conditioning & Plumbing today!

Buehler Air Conditioning