Here at Top Notch Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, our expert technicians are used to hearing Kansas City area customers interested in AC installations ask, “What are SEER ratings?” SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, and it’s a benchmark of how efficient a given air conditioning system is. In general, the higher the SEER, the less electricity the system requires to do its job.
Great strides have been made over recent years to increase the overall efficiency of new air conditioners. SEER ratings for air conditioning systems manufactured today range from 13 SEER to 24 SEER. As of Jan. 23, 2006, the federal government required all new conditioning units to have a measured SEER rating of at least 13. To obtain ENERGY STAR certification, however, the unit must be SEER 14 or above. In addition to a high SEER rating, you should also take into consideration the EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio). This is a measure of unit efficiency under the hottest temperatures. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggests purchasing a new unit with an EER rating of at least 11.6.
Why AC System SEER Ratings Matter to You
Did you recently purchase an AC system? You may be eligible for a tax credit—if your system meets a certain SEER and EER rating.
Give us a call today at (913) 535-8002(913) 535-8002 to see if your AC system qualifies for a federal tax credit.
The following air conditioner systems qualify for a $300 federal tax credit:
- Split system central air conditioners that achieve the highest efficiency CEE tier as of Jan. 1, 2009 (16 SEER; 13 EER).
- Packaged central air conditioner that achieves the highest efficiency CEE tier as of Jan. 1, 2009 (14 SEER; 12 EER).
Consider AC Replacement Now
Do you have an old AC system? Is it more than 12 years old? Older units may not be as energy efficient as new units, which can mean higher electric bills, as your unit will have to work harder to cool your home. With an AC replacement, you can save up to 20 percent on cooling costs.
Best of all, you can still take advantage of the federal tax credit available for the installation of efficient AC systems—it’s in effect until Dec. 31, 2013.
For more information about SEER ratings or to schedule new unit installation, call us or contact us online. Our expert technicians are ready to help you and make sure your home is comfortable for the warmer days ahead.
