| We have heard it, used it, and in some cases do not know what it is, but when
talking HVAC, we need to understand what S.E.E.R. means to be able to provide
energy saving systems to our customers. S.E.E.R. is an efficiency rating, much
like how miles per gallon (MPG) is used to rate automobile efficiency. We all
understand that if you drive 300 miles and consume exactly 20 gallons of gas,
then your vehicle's fuel efficiency (MPG) is 15 miles per gallon (300 miles
divided by 20 gallons). A vehicle that gets 18 MPG would be more efficient
(less costly) to operate, and a 12 MPG vehicle is less efficient (more costly)
to operate. For HVAC, S.E.E.R. follows the same rationale.
In 1975, there was no universal standard of measurement for HVAC energy
efficiency. The Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Institute (ARI) introduced
the E.E.R. (Energy Efficiency Ratio) for the purpose of rating the cooling
efficiency of HVAC units. E.E.R. equaled the rated cooling output of an HVAC
unit in BTU's per hour divided by the rated input of energy in watts of
electricity, at specific humidity, and temperature input/output conditions.
The formal definition of Energy Efficiency Ratio is a steady state efficiency
measurement of BTUH cooling output versus power (watts) input or BTUH/WATT at a
specific set of indoor and outdoor dry bulb and wet bulb temperature
conditions. The ARI rating point has been at 80 db./67 wb. indoor and 95 db./75
wb. outdoor temperatures.
While this sounds logical, no seasonality was taken into consideration. The
climate zones across the U.S. vary, as do seasonal conditions from one zone to
another. For example, Florida and Arizona have different summer conditions,
which affect the performance and resulting cooling energy savings for the user
of the HVAC unit. This means the seasonal conditions affect the value and must
be weighed when interpreting an HVAC unit's E.E.R. rating.
Thus, in 1978 the US Congress passed a law requiring labeling of certain
"appliances" (HVAC units under 65,000 btuh cooling) with an efficiency rating
that took into consideration how certain variables (seasonality) affect cooling
BTUH output, watts input, and an average cost of operation for the cooling side
of a residential HVAC unit.
The new rating, S.E.E.R. (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio), was born as an
alternative to the original E.E.R., and to better approximate the actual
cooling cost of operation of an "appliance" based on the installed climate
zone. S.E.E.R. is a different efficiency rating than E.E.R. and is based on
residential air conditioner usage patterns. S.E.E.R. includes a rating at a
different temperature than E.E.R. and also includes performances such as
conditions of cycling (off/on) thus includes cycling losses.
Currently all HVAC unit specification sheets are required to show only S.E.E.R.
ratings.
E.E.R. and S.E.E.R. are two ways to determine the cost of operation of an HVAC
unit. A 6 E.E.R. was the typical unit efficiency in 1974, and approximately 8
S.E.E.R. was predominant in the mid 80's. 10 S.E.E.R. became the first
federally mandated minimum efficiency in 1992 for residential split systems and
9.7 S.E.E.R. for single package systems in 1993. Prior to 1992, individual
states were free to establish their own individual minimum efficiency standards
for air conditioners as well as other types of appliances. The new federal
efficiency standards preempt any state standards and therefore we now have
uniform efficiency standards for the entire country as opposed to a various
array of different individual state standards. The minimum efficiency will
increase to 12 S.E.E.R. in the US effective on Jan 23, 2006.
The higher the S.E.E.R. or E.E.R. the greater btu/h cooling delivered for the
watts of electricity consumed (better miles per gallon, so to speak). You may
find the chart below useful when talking with your customers about the energy
savings associated with upgrading to a more efficient HVAC unit.
This "Cooling Operational Cost Savings (%) Matrix" shows that the operational
percentage savings of replacing a 6 E.E.R. unit with a (currently required) 10
S.E.E.R. unit would be 32%. Replace older HVAC units with higher S.E.E.R. (i.e.
12 S.E.E.R.) units and the customer can expect to see terrific operational
savings. Include the below information when bidding new projects to inform your
customers of the cost savings they can expect by upgrading to a 12 S.E.E.R.
unit now.
To sum it up, the important difference is that E.E.R. is at a single rating
point and more represents peak load rating while S.E.E.R. is a seasonal rating
most typifying average residential usage in the US. E.E.R. is more like the
highway rating of MPG on a car and S.E.E.R. is more like the city driving MPG
rating of a car.
We just looked at the cooling side of HVAC efficiency. In a future issue of The
Comfort Zone, we will discuss the heating side rating of a heat pump called
H.S.P.F.
Keep cool and watch your energy efficiency until the next time we meet in . . .
The Comfort Zone.
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