SEER Rating, Air Conditioning and Why This Number Matters to Toronto Homeowners
If you’ve been shopping around for air conditioners lately, you’ve probably come across the SEER rating. At AtlasCare, we make a point of putting this number beside every unit we sell because it’s important for our Toronto customers to make informed decisions about their air conditioning needs.
What is All Means
SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio.
What it means: In a nutshell, this represents the amount of energy it takes to cool your home. It represents how much cold air comes out for energy that goes into the unit. The higher your AC’s SEER, the greater your energy savings will be.
Why: Think of the SEER as you would your car’s fuel efficiency rating; just as a fuel-efficient car will get you to your destination for less money, a high SEER AC will require less electricity to cool your home.
What number you should aim for: AtlasCare offers a wide range of energy efficient air conditioning solutions in Toronto and nearby communities like Milton, Burlington, Hamilton, Oakville, Mississauga, and Brampton. The minimum number for any unit in Canada is 13, and we have a few of those. Don’t let the word “minimum” throw you off though, these are still highly efficient units. Most of our ACs are Energy Star qualified, offering ratings of 14 and higher.
I’ve heard of ACs offering a SEER of 20+: Yes, there are air conditioning units offering a SEER above 20, but these aren’t right for Toronto summers. Toronto has a short and intense summer, which means that while the ACs are operating for most of the summer months, they aren’t for three quarters of the year. The extra cost of SEER 20 units is far greater than any savings you’ll realize on your energy bill – these units are far more appropriate for climates where air conditioning units run continuously for six months or longer.
At AtlasCare, we’ve selected units that make sense for the city we live in: our ACs will get you the ideal energy savings given Toronto’s shorter air conditioning season.
Is it time for a new air conditioner for your home? Contact us today to talk about solutions designed with your needs in mind!
