Understanding the New SEER 2 Rating and Why It Matters
Energy efficiency is more than just a buzzword; it’s an essential consideration for homeowners keen on saving money and who also want to help improve environmental sustainability. The release of new SEER 2 rating standards in 2023 marks a substantial shift in how we view cooling efficiency. These changes affect new HVAC installations as well as regular AC maintenance and repairs. Lets learn more about the nuances of these changes and what impact they could have on you.
The Basics of SEER and SEER 2
SEER, short for seasonal energy efficiency ratio, is the traditional metric used to assess the cooling efficiency of air conditioning units. The higher the SEER rating, the more energy efficient the system and the less the operating expenses. SEER is determined by dividing the cooling output during a normal cooling season—measured in British thermal units, or BTUs—by the energy consumed in the process as measured in watt-hours. These calculations are created under special test conditions to establish consistency. SEER 2 is the next generation of AC efficiency ratings. It applies revised testing practices to provide a more accurate representation of real-world performance. Because of this, you should be prepared to see that AC efficiency ratings with a “2” after them will be smaller, even though they evaluate the same performance. SEER isn’t the only rating that’s changing in 2023. A comparable cooling rating known as the energy efficiency ratio (EER) is also moving to a new standard called EER 2. And, heat pumps have a heating-related rating for cold weather performance. It’s named heating seasonal performance factor (HSPF), which is also changing to HSPF 2 based on new, more exacting testing standards.New SEER Rating Standards for 2023
All these changes may make you want to know—what are the new SEER rating standards for 2023? The Department of Energy (DOE) has created differing minimums for the Northern and Southern United Provinces. Needless to say, the South has more stringent requirements because this region has to depend more heavily on AC units. Here’s what consumers need to know when buying a new AC or heat pump:-
- The 2023 minimum rating for air conditioners in Northern provinces is 14 SEER, which translates to 13.4 SEER 2.
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- The 2023 minimum rating for air conditioners in Southern provinces is 15 SEER, which is equivalent to 14.3 SEER 2.
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- The 2023 minimum EER rating only applies to air conditioners installed in Southwestern provinces. It’s 12.2 EER, which is the same as 11.7 EER 2.
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- The 2023 minimum ratings for heat pumps apply nationwide. They are 15 SEER (14.3 SEER 2) and 8.8 HSPF (7.5 HSPF 2).