The Meaning of Central Air Conditioning Ratings

Large household appliances all come with yellow tags proclaiming "Energy Guide". Those labels were put there for a purpose, and the information they contain can make a lot of difference in the cost-effectiveness of your cooling system. This tag shows you the efficiency rate of that particular appliance and how it measures up to government standards. The rating is officially known as the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating, more commonly referred to as its SEER. Central air units are subject to these same government guidelines, and central air conditioning ratings are also labeled with the yellow tags letting you know the important information it's imperative to know before purchasing any appliance.

When the SEER standard was first established, the government required a minimum efficiency rating of at least 10; in 2006, however, that was raised to 13 as the government strives to control the waste of energy. In order to achieve a rating of 15 to 17, air conditioners must have such special, energy-saving features as variable speed fan blowers and motors to lessen electrical usage and larger coils for more efficient heat transfer. For example, the York Stellar Ultra has 2 separate compressor units. Most of the time only one of these units will be in operation; the 2nd one doesn't kick in unless there is an increased demand for air conditioning.

Ecologists will tell you that the higher the efficiency rating of a central air conditioning unit, the better off you'll be. After all, high central air conditioning ratings mean less energy use and fewer greenhouse gases. That's great if you can afford these high-end air conditioners and depending on where you live. If you live in a climate where your central air runs frequently throughout the year, these high-end costs can be justified, because you'll easily save the price of the unit in utility cost savings. If you live in a northern region, however, where your air conditioner only runs a few days a year, the savings probably aren't going to justify the cost.

Other tips for increasing the efficiency of your central air are to keep the filters clean and to install a programmable thermostat. With high central air conditioning ratings and a little extra effort on your part, you can have the most cost-effective cooling system available.