Two guys at a Michigan game are arguing. Over the ref? No. One guy is insisting that his is better than his buddy’s. What are they talking about? Each had a new air conditioner installed and they are talking about something called SEER.
SEER is not something you hear about unless you’re upgrading your HVAC. SEER stands for “seasonal energy efficiency ratio.” Why did it matter to those guys who missed a play on the field, or why should you care? Because the number is about money. SEER is calculated by dividing the total amount of cooling provided over a typical cooling season by the total electrical input during the same season. Electrical input translates into how fast your meter spins.
A higher SEER means more efficiency. Mechanical Extremes Harold Wilkes says like all things, balance matters. “A higher SEER number is built into the cost of the unit. A SEER that is too high means you may never recover the original investment. Too low, and you’re missing out.”
So, what is the happy medium? The highest Carrier unit is rated at 26. Harold says, “in most cases 19 will win you the best efficiency versus cost.” Yet, your circumstances may dictate a different solution, because “size of unit also figures into the formula.” One thing is sure. Replacing the old unit with a new one is game changer. “Most old units barely hit a 9 rating.”
Compare a 9 SEER to a 19 SEER for a 3-ton unit, and what do you find? The 19 SEER will save you 53%. Over ten years, that could be north of $2200.
Harold Wilkes and his team will help you with the right call for your situation. However, don’t ask him to explain Michigan football plays. He played varsity basketball for Addison High School. To your advantage, he won his best game by being an expert in the technical mysteries of the HVAC world.
