If you already have a ductless heating and cooling system then you likely know how efficient it is at conditioning your home—particularly more so than a central air conditioning system that is prone to ductwork problems. We are of course strong advocates of these types of system and encourage having one installed if you don’t already.
But when choosing a ductless system—or exploring efficiency ratings of these systems—it’s important to be aware of its SEER rating. SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio and it measures how well your ductless system makes use of the energy that it consumes as well as the overall power levels of your system. Keep reading to learn more.
Understanding SEER Ratings
Your system’s SEER rating is based on a pretty simplistic formula: the ratio of the cooling power it puts out, measured in BTUs (British Thermal Units), against the energy it consumes in watt-hours. The higher the rating, the more effectively your ductless system uses energy and the lower the cost of operating it will be, in comparison to equally powered HVAC units with a lower SEER rating.
It’s not required that today’s ductless systems be manufactured with a SEER rating of at least 14. Older systems may be much lower though, and we recommend upgrading your system to one with a higher SEER rating, if your budget allows for it.
Understanding Power Levels
As mentioned above, your SEER rating must be appropriately balanced against the overall power levels of your ductless system. An under-powered AC system with a higher SEER rating, even if it’s a seemingly high-efficiency ductless system, will eliminate the benefits of improved efficiency since it will need to work harder to condition your space. Our team will be happy to help you determine how to balance SEER ratings with power output to ensure you are getting the most effective ductless system for your home.
For exceptional ductless system services throughout Espanola, NM and beyond, contact Roadrunner Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration.
