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What Is a SEER/SEER2 Rating?

Understanding SEER and SEER2 Ratings

If you have shopped for a heating or cooling system in the past, you may have noticed a SEER rating located somewhere on the unit. It is also typically featured prominently in advertising materials as a way to market its effectiveness. The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rating measures how efficient a furnace or heat pump is at heating or cooling air. The SEER2 rating is an updated method of calculating efficiency that is now the standard in most parts of the country.

How SEER Ratings Are Calculated

A SEER rating is calculated by dividing the amount of heating or cooling output a given system creates by how much energy it uses. The energy output is measured in watt-hours, and the calculation is based on heating and cooling output created over the course of an entire season.

How SEER2 Ratings Are Calculated

The SEER2 rating uses the M1 blower standard to determine how efficient a heating or cooling system is. This raises the level of external static pressure to better reflect how a system would work after it’s installed in your home. If you’re looking for a cooling system, the SEER2 rating also takes into account the amount of heat taken out of the air as well as how efficiently the air is cooled during the warmer seasons.

Why You Should Care About SEER and SEER2 Ratings

In 2023, the Department of Energy (DOE) updated its efficiency standards for heating and cooling systems. It also created more stringent standards as it relates to testing conditions and regulatory control. In other words, the government wants to be sure that consumers are getting the best and most accurate information about products that can easily cost $10,000 or more to install in their homes.

Currently, the minimum SEER2 rating is 13.4, which means that units that have this rating are getting baseline efficiency. Anything above this number means that you are saving money compared to average, and if you have anything under this number, it’s likely that it was installed 10 or 20 years ago. Ultimately, it will be in your best interest to replace what you have as soon as possible.

The Benefits of a System with a Higher SEER2 Rating

There are a number of reasons why you want a heating or cooling system that has a higher SEER or SEER2 rating than the one currently in your home. At a minimum, a more efficient system is quieter, cleaner, and uses less energy.

This means that you’ll likely notice that your home is more comfortable and is also less expensive to heat or cool. Many modern systems come with the ability to create cooling zones, which means that you can have one temperature in your room while your kids can keep their room at whatever temperature is best for them. You can also use multiple fan settings to further control how much air is being created and spread through the home at any time.

In addition, a new heating or cooling system is easier to maintain, which will reduce your overall cost of ownership. In fact, you may be eligible for free or discounted service for a period of time after buying new HVAC equipment.

Call One Hour for Help Today

If you are in need of a new heating or cooling system for your home, give the folks at One Hour a call today. We can also repair or maintain your current system to ensure that your home is comfortable throughout the year.