AC SEER RATING

Energy Efficiency is a Huge sales topic when it comes to installing your next AC system.

But what does it mean?

In Laymens Terms this is the equivalent of MPG when buying a new car.  When purchasing a vehicle, MPG is not the only deciding factor of a vehicle.

Same would apply to the AC Industry but for now we are going to focus on the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) Rating aspect of it.

So SEER Rating to an AC System = MPG to a Vehicle

Typical SEER Ratings in an AC System located in NM will range from 14 SEER to 21+ SEER.

– How important is SEER rating?

That is a great question. When you ask how important MPG is in a vehicle, there will be several variables that include how often you drive the vehicle, How much gas currently cost per gallon, etc. The same applies to SEER Rating, How often will you use your AC system? How big is your House? How much does Electricity currently Cost? How long do you plan on living in the house to reap the benefits of Higher SEER rated Air Conditioning.

What we have done here at American AC&Heat is compile some key factors and data to give you some of the most real world situations of savings.

Salesmen tend to promise that you will save $1000+ each year and have a Return on Investment within 4-6 yrs but sadly the case this is not normally the case.  This may either be from a lack of honesty or failure to do proper research.

Our Key Factors that we are going to plug in will be

1. Cooling Hours

2. Cost of Electricity

3. System Size

4. Square Footage

5. Seer Rating

Where are we getting the numbers for our examples?

1. According to Huduser.Gov Albuquerque has 1290 Cooling Hours per year.
2. According to our recent PNM Electricity Bills we have been paying an average of 14 Cents per Kwh.

Items 3 through 4 will vary in the following examples.

Note: All Sizing is approximate and Heat Load Calculation is required for proper sizing.

Example 1

1200 Square Ft to 1500 Square Ft Home.  

These Homes typically require a 3 Ton AC System.

Cost of Savings per year between a 14 SEER and 19 SEER is $122 with a 3 Ton AC System.

14 Seer – 3 Ton AC – 1290 Cooling Hrs – 14 Cents per Kwh – Cost of Electricity per year for Cooling is $464

16 Seer – 3 Ton AC – 1290 Cooling Hrs – 14 Cents per Kwh – Cost of Electricity per year for Cooling is $406

17 Seer – 3 Ton AC – 1290 Cooling Hrs – 14 Cents per Kwh – Cost of Electricity per year for Cooling is $382

19 Seer – 3 Ton AC – 1290 Cooling Hrs – 14 Cents per Kwh – Cost of Electricity per year for Cooling is $342

Example 2

1800 Sq Ft to 2200 Sq Ft Home.

These Homes typically require a 4 Ton AC System.

Cost of Savings per year between a 14 SEER and 19 SEER is $163 with a 4 Ton AC System.

14 Seer – 4 Ton AC – 1290 Cooling Hrs – 14 Cents per Kwh – Cost of Electricity per year for Cooling is $619

16 Seer – 4 Ton AC – 1290 Cooling Hrs – 14 Cents per Kwh – Cost of Electricity per year for Cooling is $542

17 Seer – 4 Ton AC – 1290 Cooling Hrs – 14 Cents per Kwh – Cost of Electricity per year for Cooling is $510

19 Seer – 4 Ton AC – 1290 Cooling Hrs – 14 Cents per Kwh – Cost of Electricity per year for Cooling is $456

Example 3

2200 Sq Ft to 2700 Sq Ft Home.

These Homes typically require a 5 Ton AC System.

Cost of Savings per year between a 14 SEER and 19 SEER is $204 with a 5 Ton AC System.

14 Seer – 5 Ton AC – 1290 Cooling Hrs – 14 Cents per Kwh – Cost of Electricity per year for Cooling is $774

16 Seer – 5 Ton AC – 1290 Cooling Hrs – 14 Cents per Kwh – Cost of Electricity per year for Cooling is $677

17 Seer – 5 Ton AC – 1290 Cooling Hrs – 14 Cents per Kwh – Cost of Electricity per year for Cooling is $637

19 Seer – 5 Ton AC – 1290 Cooling Hrs – 14 Cents per Kwh – Cost of Electricity per year for Cooling is $570

So as an HVAC Company with Integrity serving the Albuquerque area we want you to consider realistic numbers when considering buying Hvac equipment. Keep in mind that there are plenty of other reasons to buy Energy Efficient Systems but American AC&Heat wants you the homeowner to make the right decision for yourself.

Call us today to get a Free Estimate.

505-480-1078