SEER & EER

What Does SEER Mean?

SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating and is assigned to each unit or system by the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI). It is a measure of the cooling output of the unit/system during a typical cooling season. Unfortunately, for those of us in Arizona, the typical cooling season temperatures they use are 82 degrees F outside and 80 degrees F inside.

What Does EER Mean?

The Energy Efficiency Rating (EER) is similar to SEER with one noticeable difference. The EER for a unit/system is taken under peak conditions. According to the AHRI, peak conditions constitute a 95 degree F outside and 80 degrees F inside.

Why Should I Care?

In Tucson, most of our energy usage as it relates to heating and cooling occurs during our hot summer months. Our conditions here more closely resemble the conditions used when the EER rating is measured. It is just something to keep in mind. For us, SEER isn’t everything.