When you’re looking into an air conditioner replacement, you’ll find that the HVAC industry is riddled with acronyms and baffling terms. You’ll want to familiarize yourself with a few of these acronyms and other typically used terms to be able to successfully research your purchase—notably the terms that help interpret energy efficiency. Let’s look at some of these terms.
What is EER?
EER is an acronym for “energy-efficiency ratio.” It measures the energy efficiency of an air conditioner when the outside temperature is at or above a certain temperature. You’ll want to go with the higher ratings on this one because the higher the EER rating is, the more energy efficient the model is. You could be saving money on energy in no time.
ENERGY STAR® Certification
You’ve probably heard of ENERGY STAR certification, but it’s commonly not explained very well. ENERGY STAR was started in 1992 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The goal was to protect the environment while saving money on energy by using more energy-efficient products. Products must pass rigorous third-party testing and meet the many requirements to become ENERGY STAR certified. So, when you notice the blue ENERGY STAR label while you’re looking for an air conditioner replacement, you’ll know it’ll save you money.
ENERGY STAR - Most Efficient
The ENERGY STAR Most Efficient designation recognizes the products with the highest efficiency among those that are ENERGY STAR certified. These extraordinary products represent the leading edge in energy efficient products every year.
SEER – Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio
The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) is the degree of your air conditioner’s or heat pump’s cooling efficiency. The big difference between SEER ratings and EER ratings is that SEER is the degree of an air conditioner’s efficiency over throughout the entire cooling season, rather than its efficiency at a certain temperature level. Like the EER ratings, higher the SEER ratings mean better energy efficiency. More energy efficiency leads to more money savings and a decreased impact on the environment. If your air conditioner is getting up there in age, the SEER rating could be as low as 8, while current, more efficient models range from ratings of 13 – 23.
It’s almost certain you’ll find more acronyms and unfamiliar terms when you are researching your air conditioner replacement, but you’ll be a lot more informed by understanding these terms. If you have any questions about terminology you come across in your quest or if you need advice about your air conditioner replacement, call Four Seasons Air Conditioning and Heating LLC in Kingsville at 361-214-1203.