SEER
From BuildingHomes.ca
[edit] Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER)
This is a measurement applied to central air-conditioners to judge their impact on your electricity consumption while the unit is operating. Specifically the amount of BTUs a unit can cool with a single watt of electricity.
Your standard electrical wall outlet provides 120 Volts at 15 Amps. Central air conditioners require 240 Volts at a minimum of 30Amps. This is a lot of electricity!
With the increase in todays energy costs, it is worth while to get a unit that will not only provide cool dry air comfort for your home, but comfort for your pocketbook.
Air conditioners can be manufactured with different efficiency ratings.
SEER values can be between 10 and 18. The higher the number, the more efficient the unit is.
A SEER value of 16 is twice as efficient as one with a value of 8, therefore you would consume half the amount of electricity.
The more efficient the unit, the more it will cost to purchase, but that amount of money can made up by the savings in electricity costs over the life of the unit.
The minimum unit allowed in Ontario is 10.
