The SEER In Your Wallet

     When someone says the word “SEER” the first thing that comes to mind is probably a Seer of the future – a fortune teller with implied mystical powers that can divine what lies ahead in your life, what are the best choices and what obstacles may be put down in your path. A cynical person may observe that a Seer sees directly into your pocket and the only motive is to tell you exactly what you want to hear in order to be financially compensated.

     But there’s a different type of SEER that can impact your wallet in a positive way. That’s the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio that rates your air conditioning unit. A higher SEER rating translates into higher efficiency, which in turn allows you to run your system at a savings. They are also quieter running units.

     Today’s best air conditioners use 30% to 50% less energy to produce the same amount of cooling as air conditioners made in the mid 1970’s. Even if your air conditioner is only 10 years old, you may save 20% to 40% of your cooling energy costs by replacing it with a newer, more efficient model.

     The “lifespan” of a central air conditioner is typically 14-17 years. Manufacturers typically continue to support existing equipment by making replacement parts available through the manufacturing run and honoring a warranty. Generally, however, the older the unit, the more expensive the replacement parts due to availability. Eventually, replacement parts become unobtainable and investing in the repair does is not the best value.

     Key factors to keep in mind:

• The performance of your heating and cooling system is determined in a large part by your HVAC equipment’s operating efficiency.
• Each “matched system” – an outdoor compressor bearing unit that matches with an indoor unit – is tested an awarded an Energy Efficiency Rating, sort of like a miles per gallon (MPG) rating for your car.
• The more a heating/cooling system puts out for each unit of energy it consumes, the higher the rating it will receive. The higher the efficiency rating of your system, the less energy it will consume. . . that means lower utility bills and less of an impact on the environment.
• Often, utility companies will have rebate programs in place for people who select equipment with qualifying SEER ratings. Also worth checking into are any tax credits the Federal government is offering.

     While purchasing an air conditioning system with a high SEER rating is a greater upfront investment, the operating costs will be significantly lower. People who choose to spend dollars towards a greener and healthier environment should also consider an average air-conditioned home consumes more than 2,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year, causing power plants to emit about 3,500 pounds of carbon dioxide and 31 pounds of sulfur dioxide.

     To see if a SEER with a high rating is in your future, contact Verne & Ellsworth Hann at 216-932-9755 to schedule a consultation. We may not be able to see into the future, but we can try to put future dollars back into your pocket.