Now that the summer weather is slowly creeping its way into our homes, it’s more important than ever to make sure that our houses remain comfortable even as the temperature spikes. What’s more, it’s essential to do so without breaking the bank. As a homeowner, you’re undoubtedly keeping an eye on your home’s insulation and the overall function of your HVAC system.
If you’re one of the countless Americans who currently find themselves in need of a new air conditioning unit, there’s an extra step you can take to make sure you’re getting a unit that will meet your needs for years to come. It’s known as the SEER rating, and here’s what it means for your Alexandria, VA home.
What is the SEER rating?
Think of an AC unit’s SEER rating as a measure of the unit’s overall ability to do its assigned job. SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. This number is a measure of how much energy an air conditioner will consume in a given year and how much it will cost. The SEER rating in Alexandria, VA was first imposed by the United States Department of Energy to provide consumers an easy way to determine how effective individual HVAC systems were.
The SEER scale
The SEER rating runs on a scale from 13 to 25. As of 2006, manufacturers and salespeople were not allowed to sell an AC unit with a SEER rating below 13. In 2015, additional regulations were enacted to ensure that, depending on where you live in the country, contractors may be legally required to install AC units with a SEER rating higher than 13.
For those living in Virginia and other Southern states, for example, the minimum SEER rating that can be installed is 14. That said, it’s always advisable to go with an HVAC unit that has as high a SEER rating as possible, especially in Alexandria, where the summers can get especially brutal.
Other factors to consider
Even if your air conditioner isn’t on its last legs, you could still benefit from upgrading to a unit with a better SEER rating. The technological improvements in air conditioning units have increased dramatically. In other words, the unit you’re working with could have a SEER rating as low as 8 or 10. Investing in a newer model could see that SEER rating as much as double. That could save you hundreds of dollars a year in air conditioning costs in Alexandria, CA.
Your reliable HVAC team
Want to learn more about how the SEER rating can impact your monthly bills in Alexandria, VA? Come to A Action Home Services, where we have nearly 45 years of experience providing the area’s most trustworthy HVAC services. Of course, that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the wide array of services we provide. We’re also the team to trust when you want first-rate electrical and plumbing work. When it comes to keeping your home comfortable, you can count on A Action Home Services. Visit us online or give us a call today.