All About SEER Ratings

July 17, 2019

If you are shopping for cooling systems, you probably come across the term “SEER.” This is an acronym that stands for “Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio.” How The Ratio is Determined The ratio is calculated for a unit by taking one season’s typical cooling output and dividing it by the season’s total energy input. It shows the efficiency of the unit. Just like when you consider miles per gallon in your vehicle, a higher rating is better. A Range of SEERs? The government has set a minimum of a SEER of 13 for all air conditioners currently being sold. Ratings could go up to 21 or 22. Ratings of 16 or 18 would be fairly efficient, with anything above 20 being ideal for those who are very energy-conscious. Most older air conditioning systems have SEERs below 10; that’s perfectly acceptable in many cases. It doesn’t mean that anyone with an old unit needs to run out and buy a new one immediately. It just shows how standards have improved and how advancements have allowed for greater efficiency. Units with higher SEER ratings usually have a variable-speed blower and either a two-stage or variable-speed compressor. These components allow them to work at...

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3 Tips for Furnace Efficiency

October 15, 2018

When people are looking to heat their homes during the cooler winter months, it is important to make sure that a reliable furnace is available. With many different styles and options to choose from, it can be a challenge to find the right one. There are a lot of different factors to keep in mind and everyone needs to make sure that their furnace is working efficiently. Furthermore, it is vital to make sure that the furnace is reliable and will not break during the months that it is needed most. With this in mind, what are a few of the tips furnace efficiency? 1. Clean the Flame Sensor Most furnaces have a flame sensor that it uses to make sure that the flames are at the right temperature. If the sensor is dirty, the measurements become inaccurate. This can cause the heating system to work harder than it has to, driving up the utility costs. Clean this sensor to make sure that the furnace is taking accurate measurements. 2. Keep the Filters Clean Perhaps the most important tip to make sure that the furnace is efficient is to make sure that the filters are clean. The furnace relies on...

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