Air conditioner ratings are an essential tool when you’re looking to replace your home’s central cooling system. These scientific metrics measure how efficiently an A/C converts electricity into cooling. With HVAC efficiency improving exponentially in recent years, understanding air conditioner ratings is crucial in order to save energy on home cooling over the long run. For common split-system central air conditioning systems, the most common rating is the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). To calculate the SEER number, the cooling output of a central A/C is divided by the electricity that flows into it. The higher the resulting number, the more efficient the cooling. However, higher cooling efficiency doesn’t come cheap. You’ll pay upfront for a high-SEER air conditioning, but in the long run you will save money on lower operating costs. Plus, a system that cools your home more efficiently and quickly will be more comfortable. In general, the hotter and longer an area’s cooling season, the better sense it makes to invest in a higher-efficiency A/C or heat pump.

The federal government has minimum efficiency ratings for A/Cs and heat pumps (as well as heating systems). For a split-system central air conditioner, the SEER must be at least 13 (with the minimum at SEER 14 for a split-system heat pump). The U.S. Department of Energy and EPA require a minimum SEER of 15 before split-system A/Cs and heat pumps can qualify for the coveted Energy Star. Only 10 or 15 years ago, a central air conditioner likely only carried a 5 or 6 SEER number. how much does air conditioning units costThis means if an old A/C is still cooling your home, you likely could save 20-40 percent on cooling costs by upgrading to an Energy Star-qualified A/C or heat pump.change filter on ac unit The technology that enables such high cooling efficiency levels includes variable-speed blower and air handlers motors and scroll compressors that modulate the system’s level of operation. how to replace ac unit

You can enhance A/C efficiency yourself by weatherproofing your home – sealing air leaks and upgrading insulation For help selecting an energy-efficient cooling system for your Broken Arrow-area home, please contact us at Air Assurance. Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about air conditioner ratings and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 918-217-8273.Oliver Heating, Cooling and Plumbing has been offering Delaware Valley residents the best in new air conditioners since 1971. Contact us today at 1-877-757-1141, or schedule an appointment with one of our project managers. They can help you decide which air conditioner is right for your lifestyle and budget.The Oliver series of new air conditioners are below. Click here to view a comparison chart.The Oliver Platinum Series energy-efficient air conditioner is the most quiet and efficient central air conditioner you can buy.

It features two stages of operation, running at its low stage 80% of the time to reduce energy costs and sound levels.Efficiency Rating: Up to 20.5 SEER* Warranty: 10-year warranty on the compressor and all remaining covered components.True to their name, Oliver Gold Series air conditioner is above the standard cooling system. With impressive features and capabilities, our Gold Series air conditioners deliver exceptional comfort, consistent temperature flow, and money-saving efficiency you’ll appreciate year after year.Efficiency Rating: Up to 17.2 SEER* Warranty: 10-year warranty on the compressor and all remaining covered components.The Oliver Pro Series central air conditioner combines quality and time-tested technology to deliver lasting dependability, efficiency and comfort. With a dependable scroll compressor and ozone-responsible refrigerant, you’ll enjoy years of comfort at an affordable cost with this series of new air conditioners.Efficiency Rating: 13 SEER* Warranty: 10-year warranty on the compressor and all remaining covered components.* SEER – Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio.

It measures cooling performance on air conditioners, heat pumps and gas/electric package products. When you’re in the market for an air conditioner, be sure to compare SEER ratings for efficiency.Many older homes were built with no provision for central air conditioning. Residential central air conditioners were uncommon prior to the 1960's, and even as late as 1980, were installed in only about one-fourth of U.S. homes. In homes with no central air conditioning, duct systems were rare, as there were other ways to deliver space heating. Until recently, the only options for air conditioning in homes with no ducts were either to use room units (window or wall air conditioners) or to install a duct system, which can be costly and impractical unless the home is being extensivelyremodeled. Now there is another option for homes with no existing ductwork - a ductless split-system central air conditioner orInstead of using a single central air handler with ducts running to each room, this system has multiple fan-coil

units connected via refrigerant piping to a single outdoor unit. This system combines the zoning flexibility of room units (the ability to cool individual rooms independently) with the whole-house cooling capability of a central system. The indoor fan-coil unit is smaller than a standard window air conditioner, and much quieter, as the compressor is located in the outdoor unit. The fan-coil unit can be mounted on a wall or suspended from a ceiling. Many come with a remote control, allowing the unit to be mounted high on the wall or on the ceiling. In addition to providing a new alternative for homes with no ductwork, this system can also be useful for additions where extending the existing duct system is impractical. Ductless central air conditioners are available with SEER ratings as high as 18 or 19 - comparable to the highest-efficiency ducted central air systems, but without the duct losses that can reduce overall performanceSome also incorporate variable speed high-efficiency fans.

Heat pump versions that provide both air conditioning and space heating are also available. Currently, the initial cost is typically about twice that of traditional window units and about 30% higher than a standardHowever, once the cost of adding new ductwork is factored into the equation, the ductless system may be a very Studies by the U.S. Department of Energy have found that as much as 25-30% of an average home's cooling is lost to unconditioned spaces like attics, due to inefficient duct systems. While it is possible to minimize these losses with insulation and proper duct design and sealing, it can be difficult and time-consuming. Although ductless systems are currently more expensive than traditional ducted systems, the additional cost can be at least partially offset by the savings from eliminating the ducts. When you factor in the energy and operating cost savings from eliminating duct losses, the total cost (initial cost plus annual energy cost) can compare favorably with ducted systems.