What is seer on an air conditioner

This is how it simulates a typical season. Keep in mind that SEER ratio is a maximum efficiency rating, like the miles per gallon for your car. Say your car gets 28 miles per gallon on the highway. The same goes for your air conditioner.

Trane air conditioners range from The efficiency of your system can vary based on the size of your home, your current ductwork and other variables.

For homeowners in these locations, you may want to consider an air conditioning or heat pump with an Energy Star rating to possibly save even more in energy costs. However, if you live in a more temperate area where you go much of the year without cooling; a minimum SEER rating may make the most financial sense. Website works best with Javascript enabled.

Please Enable Javascript and reload this page to continue. Search Goodman. Connect with us. The method can also be used to provide an estimate of the energy-cost savings of using a more efficient i. Note that the local utility cost should be the cost per kilowatt hour based on your last monthly purchase. Most utility billing structures are such that the more energy you purchase, the less it costs per kilowatt hour. A Toronto resident is considering purchasing a central air conditioner. The resident is also considering another unit with identical capacity but with a SEER of To compare the two units, perform the same calculation, substituting This represents a simple payback period of about seven years.

Remember that the more efficient model may also have a lower sound rating, and while there is no payback for noise reduction, it can be important to you and your neighbours. Like many other things, the best time to buy is during the off-season.

Contractors will have more time to spend with you to consider your particular needs and to help determine exactly what system is most suitable. How can I select a good contractor from whom to purchase a central air conditioner? Selecting a reputable contractor is a key consideration in the decision to buy a central air-conditioning system. The following tips should help you choose:. In addition, follow the usual process for selecting a contractor: ask friends and relatives for referrals; get firm written quotes from at least two contractors; check with previous clients to see if they were satisfied with the equipment, installation and service provided; and follow up with the Better Business Bureau to find out if there are any outstanding claims against the contractor.

If you know which brand of air conditioner you want to have installed, the manufacturer may recommend a contractor in your area. Some municipalities have enacted by-laws that limit the permissible noise level from such equipment.

Generally, maximum noise levels are specified at the lot line. Check with your local municipal office to find out if such by-laws are in effect or if there are any additional requirements you will need to satisfy. Should I replace both my outdoor condensing unit which includes the compressor and the indoor coil on my central air conditioning system at the same time?

Yes, under most circumstances. The indoor and outdoor components of central air conditioners are intended to operate together, and the rated SEER is based on tests of these components working together. If I am buying a house, how can I make sure that the air-conditioning system is in good working order? You can check the system yourself. Turn the system on and listen for unusual sounds. Feel how cool the air is and how much airflow is coming from the vents. Listen to the indoor and outdoor sections of the system.

Within a few minutes of start-up, air from the vents should be considerably cooler than the rest of the air in the house. Although this personal inspection will provide a good indication of normal operation, the best way is to hire an air-conditioning contractor to inspect the system. Should I let the air conditioner fan run all the time the "on" setting on the thermostat or only periodically the "auto" setting on the thermostat?

Fans require a significant amount of electrical energy to operate. For indoor fans, this energy ends up in the form of heat inside the house, thus adding to the cooling requirement that the air conditioner must meet. So in addition to paying to operate the fan, you will have to pay to remove its heat. The SEER rating for your system was determined assuming "auto" fan operation.

Continuous fan operation also reduces dehumidification. For these reasons, fan operation should be restricted to those times when it is providing some tangible benefit.

Sometimes comfort will improve with continuous fan operation by providing a more uniform temperature throughout the house. Air movement also tends to make the body feel comfortable at higher temperatures, possibly allowing you to adjust the thermostat to a higher setpoint. Is there any relationship between my home air-conditioning system and chlorofluorocarbon CFC refrigerant damage to the ozone layer? Both central air conditioners and room air conditioners utilize hydrochlorofluorocarbon HCFC as a refrigerant.

HCFC does have some ozone-depletion potential, but it is only 5 percent of that of CFC s, since the molecule breaks down fairly rapidly if released into the lower atmosphere. In some provinces and territories, it is illegal to release HCFC s into the atmosphere; soon, this will be the case nationally. Only deal with service companies that practise refrigerant recovery and recycling and have the proper equipment and training to do so. Your air conditioner is designed to operate as a closed system and will not release refrigerant as long as it is properly maintained.

Have your system checked for leaks and serviced once a year, before the cooling season. Are there air conditioners other than window room air conditioners for homes without ductwork? You will not receive a reply. For enquiries, contact us.

In these cases, there are two other options for central systems: Mini-split units that distribute cooling by using two or three indoor sections connected to a single outdoor unit.

Central air-conditioning systems that use small-diameter high-pressure ducts, designed to facilitate retrofit installation through walls, floors and attic spaces. Actions you can take to reduce cooling requirements are as follows: Caulk and weatherstrip to seal air gaps, and ensure that the attic and exterior walls are insulated to meet or exceed the minimum recommended levels to minimize heat transfer to the interior.

Use awnings, blinds or drapes to keep direct sunlight from entering the living space. Deciduous trees planted on the south and west sides of the house and wide roof overhangs will reduce solar heat gain to the interior in summer, while having only a small effect on heating in winter. Light-coloured exterior finishes will also help reduce solar heat gain year-round. Turn on the kitchen rangehood fan when cooking, if it exhausts outside, and turn on the bathroom fan while bathing to minimize moisture buildup in the space.

Turn off lights and appliances that are not needed. Plan heat- and moisture-generating activities cooking, dish washing, drying clothes and bathing for cooler morning and evening hours.

Consider using appliances with time-delay controls. In addition to generating heat and humidity at a less noticeable time after midnight, for example , your air conditioner will operate more efficiently in the cooler night hours. Select compact fluorescent lamps and energy-efficient appliances, since they produce less waste heat than conventional products.

The electricity consumed by a less efficient refrigerator, for example, is converted to heat, which is released into your kitchen. There are several common heat sources in a house. Types of Air Conditioners As mentioned previously, there are two basic types of air conditioners — room air conditioners and central air conditioners. Variations of room air conditioners are as follows: Window-mounted types are available for installation in single- and double-hung windows, as well as for horizontal sliding windows and even casement windows.

Wall-mounted units use a sleeve to allow for through-the-wall mounting instead of window mounting. Free-standing portable units are easily moved on casters; some require temporary ducting to the outdoors.

Variations of central air conditioners are as follows: A single-package unit contains all the components and generally mounts through the wall or on the roof. Ducting to and from the unit conveys air to and from the rooms. This type is not commonly used in residential applications. A split-system unit consists of indoor and outdoor sections. The indoor heat exchanger, or coil, mounts above the furnace, inside the ducting.

The outdoor section consists of the remaining components, and the two sections are joined by refrigerant lines connecting the indoor coil to the refrigeration components in the outdoor section. A mini-split unit is similar to a split-system but contains more than one indoor coil connected to one outdoor unit. Some mini-split units have as many as three indoor units. These units are ideal for homes with new additions, as there is no need for ductwork. The indoor section simply mounts on an inside wall, the ceiling or the floor.

The outdoor and indoor units generally have a very slim profile compared to conventional split-systems. The efficiency of mini-split units tends to be lower than other split-systems, which needs to be taken into account when considering such a unit. A mini-duct unit is a central air conditioner where the indoor section is installed in the attic, and air is distributed through plastic pipes in partition walls to outlets and inlets. These units can be retrofitted in homes with electric or hydronic baseboard heating that have no ductwork.

Finally, water-cooled residential air conditioners can be connected to city or well water. Check with local authorities to determine if water-cooled equipment is permitted. These types are seldom used in Canadian applications, even if permitted, because operating costs would include electricity, as well as water and sewer charges.

The remaining sections provide more information on the two basic types of air conditioners. Coming to Terms with Air Conditioners Here are some common terms you will come across when comparing and determining the best choice for air conditioners. Components of an air conditioner The refrigerant is a substance that circulates through the air conditioner, alternately absorbing, transporting and releasing heat.

Energy Efficiency Regulations — Labelling, Rating and Certification Both room air conditioners and central air conditioners are covered under Canada's Energy Efficiency Regulations, which came into effect February 3, Room air conditioners The Energy Efficiency Regulations specify that room air conditioners must carry an EnerGuide label, which helps you obtain consistent and reliable information about the relative energy efficiency of room air conditioners on the market.

The EnerGuide label for room air conditioners You may already be familiar with the EnerGuide label found on major electrical household appliances, such as refrigerators, ranges, freezers, dishwashers, clothes washers and clothes dryers.

Central air conditioners As mentioned earlier, central air conditioners must meet minimum efficiency standards of performance under Canada's Energy Efficiency Regulations, as well as under similar regulations in many provinces. Room Air Conditioners A room air conditioner is essentially a smaller version of a central air conditioner and is intended to cool only a small area, usually one room.

How does a room air conditioner work? Energy efficiency considerations The efficiency of room air conditioners in converting electricity into cooling effect varies widely, depending on the manufacturer's design choices.

Sizing considerations The amount of cooling that the air conditioner must provide to maintain comfort conditions is called the cooling load.

Installation considerations Room air conditioners are available in styles that are designed to be mounted either through the wall or in a window opening. Operation considerations The cost of operating a room air conditioner may be minimized by selecting a unit with a high EER and taking the simple steps listed below: Select the highest thermostat setting that results in acceptable comfort.

A temperature of If it will be unoccupied for more that 24 hours, it should be shut off. Keep the house closed up tight during hot days and use natural or forced ventilation at night, when the air is cooler. Use the "ventilate" or "outside air" control on the room air conditioner sparingly.

Do not block the air conditioner vents with drapes or furniture. Use continuous air conditioner fan operation only when the resulting air movement is required to maintain comfortable conditions in the room. Other selection considerations Choose an air conditioner with the proper cooling capacity for your application.

Maintenance Clean the air filters at least once each season. A dirty air filter reduces airflow and, in some cases, this could cause damage to the room air conditioner.

Keep the condenser clean and free of leaves and other debris. Clean condensate drain holes or tubes that become blocked. If the unit's performance seems to have deteriorated, have it serviced.

A small loss of refrigerant can cause a significant drop in efficiency. It is important to have leaks fixed and that the refrigerant be recycled when service is performed. Otherwise, if it is released into the atmosphere, it damages the ozone layer and acts as a greenhouse gas. Clean air conditioner air filters regularly. Check your owner's manual or contact your service technician about the correct maintenance schedule for your unit.

Some models require additional attention, such as periodic oiling of the fan motor. Operating costs The cost of operating a room air conditioner will depend on the cost of electricity in your area, the cooling capacity, the EER of the unit and, most importantly, the amount of time that it operates.

Life expectancy and warranties In general, room air conditioners are expected to have a service life of approximately 10 years. Central Air Conditioners Central air conditioners are designed to cool the entire house. How does a central air conditioner work? Energy efficiency considerations Select a central air conditioner with as high a SEER as is practical within your budget. Sound considerations Select a central air conditioner with an outdoor sound rating of about 7.

Sizing considerations Cooling loads should be determined by a qualified air-conditioning contractor, using a recognized sizing method such as that specified in CSA-FM Determining the Required Capacity of Residential Space Heating and Cooling Appliances.

Installation considerations When installing a central air conditioner, it is important that the contractor follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully. The following general guidelines should be considered when installing a central air conditioner: Locate the outdoor unit or condenser in a cool, shaded place where the waste heat can be readily rejected. Locate the outdoor unit where its noise will not be a problem for you or your neighbour. This generally means away from bedroom windows or patios and not between houses.

In new construction, consider installing the central air conditioner outdoor unit on a frame mounted to the house. This avoids problems due to settlement of backfill around the foundation, which causes the outdoor unit to lose its level.

The central air conditioner will generally require more airflow than the furnace needs for heating. Consider a two-speed fan motor with the correct speed automatically selected depending on whether cooling or heating is called for.

Keep refrigerant lines as short as possible, and where the lines pass through the outside wall, ensure that the surrounding space between the lines and the wall is packed with a resilient material, such as plumber's putty.

This will prevent noise or vibration problems and air leaks. Operation considerations In the interest of energy efficiency, use central air conditioning only when ventilation is inadequate to ensure comfortable conditions.

Maintenance Proper maintenance is critical in ensuring that your central air conditioner will operate efficiently and have a long service life. Operating costs The operating cost of a central air conditioner is influenced by a number of factors, such as how much you use your air conditioner and how efficient it is, the amount of insulation and glazing in your home, and the frequency and duration of door and window openings when the system is operating.

Life expectancy and warranties The life expectancy of a central air conditioner is 15 years or longer. Replacing an existing central air conditioner If your existing air conditioner needs replacement or is more than 10 years old, chances are good that it is also inefficient.