There are lots of devices and appliances in your home that use electricity. No device, however, uses more electricity than your HVAC system. As much as 40% of the energy you use in your home goes toward keeping you comfortable. Since you can’t do without an HVAC system, it’s important to find the most efficient HVAC system possible so that you can dramatically reduce your home’s energy usage. Fortunately, when you purchase an HVAC unit from Underwood AC LLC, there’s an easy way to do this. When you check the SEER rating of a system, you’ll be able to quickly and easily understand how much energy you can expect to save.
SEER Defined
Understanding more about SEER ratings will give you better insight into why they matter. SEER is an acronym that means Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. SEER ratings only apply to air conditioners. Furnaces are rated using a measurement called the AFUE rating. To determine the SEER rating, companies calculate the cooling output of a specific air conditioner model and then calculate how much energy the unit uses to produce that cooling output. Units are tested using a variety of ambient temperatures to try and simulate real-world conditions. SEER ratings are mandated and regulated by the federal government, ensuring that every company uses the same ratings scale so that you can get an accurate understanding of the efficiency of a particular unit.
Defining the “Best”
SEER ratings range from 13 to 21. Although a rating of 21 is objectively the most efficient according to the SEER formula, Underwood AC LLC encourages you to think through your particular needs before investing in a high-efficiency air conditioner. High-end systems require a major up-front investment, meaning that you’ll need to use the system for more years to recoup your investment in the form of energy savings. If you plan to stay in your home for a long time, this is a great option. However, if you plan to move to a new home within a few years, you may want to opt for a less-expensive system that will help you both save energy and recoup your investment more quickly.
Staying on Schedule
After Underwood AC LLC installs your new air conditioner, the real work of efficient operation begins. That’s because your air conditioner will only maintain its efficiency if you follow a strict maintenance schedule. Don’t worry, though, because the most frequent maintenance you’ll need to perform will only happen once a month. That’s when you’ll need to check your air filter to make sure it’s not clogged by dust and debris. If it is clogged, you’ll need to replace the air filter to prevent the system from overworking itself and reducing your energy savings. Once every summer, you’ll also need to pour a bleach solution down the condensate drain to keep the condensed water removed by your air conditioner flowing freely. Underwood AC LLC can handle most other types of maintenance so you don’t have to waste time doing it yourself.
Size Matters
Most of the time, when you’re replacing your air conditioner, it is most cost-effective to replace it with a similar unit. For example, if you have central cooling, you’ll want to replace your old unit with a new central air conditioner. However, you may be able to increase your home’s efficiency if you’re able to modify the system during the replacement process. For example, if there’s a specific area in your home where you spend more time, you may want to think about installing a ductless system in that area so that you can keep that space cool without running your central air conditioner. Even if you opt for a ductless unit that’s less efficient, you’ll still likely save money because the smaller system will still draw less energy. While there will need to be modifications made to your ductwork to make this setup work, it may be worth it depending on your living patterns.
Increasing Customer Comfort
At Underwood AC LLC, we take pride in our ability to increase the comfort of our customers’ homes. We can install new air conditioners, repair furnaces, design and install pool heating systems, clean and modify ductwork, and much more. Each of our highly trained technicians takes great pride in their work, which is one reason why we consistently receive five-star customer reviews. To learn more about improving the efficiency of your air conditioner in Davenport, contact us at Underwood AC LLC today.
