1. What is SEER?

SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) is a measure of the cooling efficiency of a heat pump or air conditioner. It represents the ratio of cooling output (in BTU) divided by energy input (in watt-hours) over a typical cooling season.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the SEER formula:

Where:

• Total Cooling Output — Measured in British Thermal Units (BTU)
• Total Energy Input — Measured in Watt-hours (Wh)

Explanation: Higher SEER ratings indicate more efficient systems that provide more cooling per unit of energy consumed.

3. Importance of SEER Rating

Details: SEER ratings help consumers compare energy efficiency between different heat pump and air conditioning systems. Higher SEER systems typically have lower operating costs but may have higher upfront costs.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the total cooling output in BTU and total energy input in Wh. Both values must be positive numbers. The calculator will compute the SEER ratio.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a good SEER rating?
A: As of 2023, the minimum SEER rating is 14-15 depending on region. High-efficiency systems can have SEER ratings of 20 or more.

Q2: How does SEER differ from EER?
A: SEER measures seasonal efficiency under varying conditions, while EER measures efficiency at a specific operating condition (usually 95°F).

Q3: Does higher SEER always mean better?
A: While higher SEER means better efficiency, the cost premium may not be justified in mild climates with short cooling seasons.

Q4: How is SEER tested?
A: SEER is calculated from laboratory tests at various indoor and outdoor temperatures that simulate a typical cooling season.

Q5: Can I use this for both heat pumps and AC units?
A: Yes, the SEER calculation applies to both air conditioners and air-source heat pumps in cooling mode.