New Energy Efficiency Standards for 2023 – SEER2
2023 ushers in the new energy efficiency standards for HVAC systems. The new standard is known as SEER2. SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio or “Rating”. And the new SEER2 standards offer even greater energy efficiencies than the original SEER standards of 2022. That is good news for the average consumer and your fuel bill.
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What is SEER2?
SEER or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio – is the ratio of the cooling output of an air conditioner and heat pump over a typical cooling season, divided by the energy it uses in Watt-Hours. SEER2 is the current, updated version that incorporates a new M1 blower testing procedure in the calculation. This updated calculation provides a more accurate measure of real-world conditions of installed equipment.
What Is The Difference Between SEER and SEER2?
The main differences are the testing conditions and the accuracy of the results. The original SEER testing system did not account for the influence of ductwork on external static pressure resulting in skewed numbers that did not reflect “real world” conditions.
These new SEER2 ratings actually gauge the efficiency of cooling systems. The higher the rating – the more efficient the system. According to SEER2 ratings – a score of 13.4 is the minimal standard of efficiency as outlined by the Department of Energy. A score of 21.5 is considered to be the maximum score for energy efficiency in a residential setting.
How This Change Affects You
Every day, we make choices regarding our home environments. We trade off comfort for higher or lower energy bills. And in the Philly area, we can experience prolonged heat waves with high humidity as well as prolonged cold periods such as the polar vortex we recently experienced in early 2023. So when your HVAC system needs to work harder to achieve the desired comfort level, our energy bills will inevitably increase too. That is why it is important for consumers to understand just how efficient their HVAC systems are and be able to make informed choices when purchasing a newer model.
In general, the more efficient the system, the more the upfront cost. But in the long term, greater efficiency means lower energy costs and greater comfort in your home environment. While many people chose a middle ground when contemplating purchasing a new HVAC system and ultimately purchase a less efficient model – trading off the lower upfront cost with higher long term energy bills – the new SEER2 standards provide every new HVAC buyer with more efficient choices no matter which system you chose.
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What’s The Bottom Line?
If you need a new heating or air conditioning system you will have a lot of high quality systems to choose from. Even the least expensive options will provide you with higher quality, energy efficient options than were available under the original SEER standards. But because of the increased efficiency under the new standards, these newer models will likely be more expensive up front than the 2022 models. But the trade off – and there is one – is that you will be using less energy to heat and cool your home going forward. Your monthly energy bills will be less.
Tax Benefits For High-Efficiency HVAC Systems
New systems will likely be more expensive to purchase. But there are new tax incentives in place to help make these more energy-efficient systems more affordable. Tax credits and rebates are available to help make upgrading your system a more attractive option. Plus, you will save money in the long run on your monthly energy bills not to mention having a more comfortable home. Your HVAC technician should be able to provide you with all of the information that you need to take advantage of these incentives.
Air Conditioner Replacement In Havertown, PA
In the Havertown and Delco area, John Cipollone, Inc. is an expert when it comes to air conditioner replacements, installation, service, and repair. We can provide you with the latest information on SEER2 and information on the newest and most efficient models for heating and cooling.