At Del-Air Heating and Air Conditioning, we always talk about the importance
of having a high-efficiency AC system, but how much, you might wonder,
does it matter? A leader in
Tampa air conditioning installation and repair, Del-Air recognizes that high-efficiency AC units
might cost more in the short term. However, in the long run, buying an
AC with a higher SEER rating can save you big bucks in utility costs.
Further, the higher the efficiency rating of your AC, the less money it
will cost to operate.
Understanding SEER Units
SEER, or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, is a metric used to assess the
efficiency of AC units. The higher the SEER rating of a particular system,
the more efficient it will be in cooling your home.
It’s important to note that the U.S. government sets guidelines for
new AC equipment. As of January 2006, all central air equipment must possess
a minimum SEER of 13. However, homeowners can opt to purchase units with
SEERs as high as 23. For a unit to possess the coveted Energy Star label,
it must boast a minimum SEER level of 14.
SEER measurements aren’t just numbers—they also determine how
much money a family spends on utilities. If your current AC model is 10
years or older, switching it out for a high-efficiency model can save
you 20% to 40% a month in energy costs.
The below tables reveal how higher SEER levels translate to higher savings
for families:
Your Existing HVAC Efficiency: SEER of 6
| New Air Conditioner Efficiency | Expected Reduction in Electricity |
| SEER 13 | 49% |
| SEER 14 | 56% |
| SEER 15 | 63% |
| SEER 16 | 70% |
Your Existing HVAC Efficiency: SEER of 7
| New Air Conditioner Efficiency | Expected Reduction in Electricity |
| SEER 13 | 42% |
| SEER 14 | 49% |
| SEER 15 | 56% |
| SEER 16 | 63% |
Your Existing HVAC Efficiency: SEER of 8
| New Air Conditioner Efficiency | Expected Reduction in Electricity |
| SEER 13 | 35% |
| SEER 14 | 42% |
| SEER 15 | 49% |
| SEER 16 | 56% |
Your Existing HVAC Efficiency: SEER of 9
| New Air Conditioner Efficiency | Expected Reduction in Electricity |
| SEER 13 | 28% |
| SEER 14 | 35% |
| SEER 15 | 42% |
| SEER 16 | 49% |
Your Existing HVAC Efficiency: SEER of 10
| New Air Conditioner Efficiency | Expected Reduction in Electricity |
| SEER 13 | 21% |
| SEER 14 | 28% |
| SEER 15 | 35% |
| SEER 16 | 42% |
Contact Our HVAC Specialists
At Del-Air, we know that an old or malfunctioning AC unit can wreak havoc
on your utility costs. For more information on what new higher-SEER HVAC
units can do for your energy bills, contact the
Tampa air conditioning professionals at Del-Air today at
(855) 972-9943.
