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Shopping for an air conditioner can be a daunting task. You need to consider the unit’s size, the ductwork in your home, your budget, and a slew of other factors. Two of the most important elements to look for when shopping for an air conditioner are the SEER rating and the Energy Star label. These two things can help you find the most energy- and cost-efficient system that meets your needs. Plus, they can potentially save you significant expenses in the long run. Energy Star When a piece of home comfort equipment bears the Energy Star label, this means that the model has met the strict guidelines put forth by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for energy efficiency. An Energy Star label on an A/C unit means that it uses significantly less energy than a conventional model, which results in reduced greenhouse gas emissions and a lower utility bill for you. In addition, some states, including New Jersey, offer tax credits on qualifying Energy Star units. SEER ratings While many people are familiar with the Energy Star program, its lesser-known counterpart, SEER, is equally important when shopping for an air conditioner. SEER, which stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, is a standard that measures the amount of energy required to create a specific cooling output. A/C units with higher SEER ratings are more energy-efficient than those with lower SEERs. As a point of reference, most older air conditioners have a SEER rating of six or less. Today, new federal standards have set the minimum SEER rating for an air conditioner at 13. Energy Star-qualified air conditioners must have a minimum rating of SEER 14. Similar to products bearing the Energy Star label, air conditioners with a high SEER rating will save you money by reducing your energy consumption. Choosing the air conditioner that’s right for you in addition to looking for the Energy Star label and SEER rating when shopping for an A/C unit, there are some other things to take into account which can help cut your power bill, including selecting the proper size and finding one with a timer or pre-set options. The professionals at Pipe Works Services are happy to help you in the process of picking the best A/C unit for your needs. Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about SEER and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide. Pipe Works Services serves Chatham, NJ, and the surrounding areas. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!
