| There are two main types of air conditioners: wall | | | | air conditioning unit had a SEER of 15, the unit would |
| units and central air. We've all experienced both if | | | | only consume 533 watts per hour. It is clear that the |
| you've lived in the United States for any extended | | | | higher the SEER rating, the less power you use. |
| period of time. Although the wall unit can usually cool | | | | These days, the United States requires that all new |
| a room quickly and often more effectively, a central | | | | units have a SEER of 13 or greater. This does not |
| unit can bring an entire apartment or home down to | | | | apply to window units though. Most people seek the |
| an even, comfortable temperature. Each type has | | | | highest efficiency level they can but the unfortunate |
| their own characteristics but central air conditioners | | | | predicament is that with higher efficiency comes |
| are measured using two important characteristics: | | | | higher cost. There is also some affect on noise level |
| SEER and tonnage. | | | | with the higher efficiency units producing more noise |
| The efficiency of air conditioners is measured using | | | | than the lower ones. |
| the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). The | | | | The amount of cooling power a unit has is referred |
| higher the rating, the more efficient the air | | | | to in tonnage. Arizona heating and air customers |
| conditioning unit is. The SEER rating is determined | | | | require more tonnage than in other parts of the |
| using the BTU of cooling output divided by the watt | | | | country. The tonnage measurement is actually |
| hours. BTU stands for British Thermal Unit. The SEER | | | | connected to how blocks of ice melt! It incorporates |
| number is most often used to determine the amount | | | | that BTU measurement mentioned above. Obviously, |
| of electricity a particular unit would consume. The | | | | the measurement can only be done in a laboratory |
| lower the wattage use, the less cost to the user and | | | | environment. In most residential applications, you see |
| less impact on the environment. | | | | units with up to five tons of cooling capacity. |
| For example, an Arizona air conditioner might output | | | | Professionals from Glendale AC companies are in the |
| 8,000 BTU per hour. If it had a SEER of 10, this unit | | | | best position to determine the appropriate tonnage |
| would use 800 watts of power per hour. Now we | | | | for any given home. Excessive tonnage can lead to |
| can examine what happens if a unit with a better | | | | waste regardless of the SEER rating. |
| SEER rating is used. In the same situation where the | | | | |