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Make the Most of A/C’s High SEER: Factors That Should Be in Place

By July 8, 2013April 12th, 2022No Comments

Texas homeowners know that getting a quality HVAC system is an investment that pays long term dividends. This is especially the case during the summer season in Texas, which can see temperatures soar into the high 90s and 100s.

However, operating your A/C under these weather conditions can result in extremely high energy bills. To offset these costs, many Texas homeowners buy units with high seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) ratings. An A/C’s high SEER rating can save you money because they operate using less electricity.  Nevertheless, it is noteworthy to remember that purchasing an A/C unit with a high SEER rating will not necessarily lower your bills.  There are four factors that ensure that you will be able to maximize your unit’s SEER capacity. Let’s briefly examine them.

  • Airflow: Every A/C unit’s evaporator needs proper airflow.  Under good conditions, the airflow allows the temperature to change to suit your needs. Low airflow can be caused by a number of issues. Grilles with blocked openings, incompatible air handlers, and ducts that restrict flow are common causes of bad airflow.
  • Tight ducts: Properly sealed ducts keep contaminants out of your A/C system and prevent temperature fluctuations. Faulty ducts can easily contribute to substantial overuse of your A/C system.
  • Refrigerant charge: Any professional that is attending to your A/C unit must properly charge the refrigerant. When the charge is incorrect, the SEER rating is severely affected.  Notably, 70 percent of all A/C units that are serviced suffer from an improper refrigerant charge.
  • Size: Finding the right size of unit for your home is essential if you are looking to optimize your energy consumption and costs. A common misconception is that you can never go too big. However, a system that is too large is expensive to operate. Conversely, a unit that is too small will need to run for longer periods of time, thus increasing costs.

Before you buy your next A/C unit, contact the pros at McWilliams & Son Heating and Air Conditioning. We will be able to help you set up your new system to maximize its SEER rating.