What is SEER?

SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. It is the standard on which the Department of Energy (DOE) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) compares the efficiency of cooling equipment, including condensers and heat pumps.

Before January 23, 2006, government minimal acceptable standard was 10 SEER. For a condensing unit or heat pump to obtain the Energy Star, it must be a minimum SEER rating of 12.

As of January 23, 2006, the minimum SEER rating requirement that manufacturers must meet per the DOE is 13 SEER. In April (2006), to receive the Energy Star, the condenser or heat pump will have to be a minimum of 14 SEER.

SEER is defined as "a measure of equipment energy efficiency over the cooling season. It represents the total cooling of a central air conditioner or heat pump (in BTU) during the normal cooling season as compared to the total electrical energy input (in watt-hours) consumed during the same period. SEER is based on tests performed in accordance with ARI 210/240."

                 BRITISH THERMAL UNITS (BTUs)
SEER =  ______________________________
                      KILOWATT HOURS    (kWh)  

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US Department of Energy: Energy Savers - Central Air Conditioning