Have you come across Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) and Energy Efficiency Ratings (EER) ratings? They are often included in the specifications of new air conditioning systems. Manufacturers add SEER and EER ratings to help homeowners, as well as business owners, choose the right air conditioning system. While they both reflect efficiency, though, SEER and EER ratings aren’t the same.
What Are SEER Ratings?
SEER ratings are a measurement of an air conditioning system’s cooling efficiency during a typical cooling season, such as the summer. They are calculated by taking the cooling output of an air conditioning system during a cooling season and dividing that number by the average amount of energy the air conditioning system uses during the same cooling season. A high SEER rating indicates a high level of efficiency.
You can use SEER ratings to gain a better understanding of an air conditioning system’s operational costs. Air conditioning systems with a SEER rating of 13 will consume about 30% less energy than those with a SEER rating of 9. Therefore, air conditioning systems with a SEER rating of 13 will cost about one-third less to run than their counterparts with a SEER rating of 9.
What Are EER Ratings?
EER ratings, on the other hand, is a measurement of an air conditioning system’s cooling efficiency at a predetermined temperature, such as 95 degrees Fahrenheit. EER ratings are calculated by taking the air conditioning system’s total consumed energy and dividing that number by its cooling capacity.
The cooling capacity of an air conditioning system is reflected in its British Thermal Units (BTUs). The more BTUs an air conditioning system has, the higher its cooling capacity will be. BTUS, though, don’t provide insight into efficiency. Rather, they only reveal cooling capacity or cooling performance. EER ratings go one step further by taking into total consumed energy. As a result, EER ratings reveal efficiency.
Differences Between SEER and EER Ratings
You can use SEER and EER ratings to determine how efficient air conditioning systems are at cooling indoor spaces. SEER ratings are more common than EER ratings.
Unlike with EER ratings, they consider an air conditioning system’s cooling efficiency during a typical cooling season. Temperatures can change during cooling seasons. Nonetheless, SEER ratings reveal efficiency over the course of a complete cooling season. EER ratings are different in the sense that they focus on a specific outdoor temperature.
