A S.E.E.R. (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating) is the rating and performance standards that have been developed by the U.S. government and equipment manufacturer’s to produce an energy consumption rating that is easy to understand by consumers. It has a universal formula and conditioning that can be applied to all units and compensates for varying weather conditions.

Basically, the lower the S.E.E.R. rating, the more energy (electricity) is required to produce the desired effect.

EXAMPLE:
S.E.E.R. OF “6”
(6 is a very common rating for older units produced prior to the 1990’s, when energy was relatively inexpensive)
Produces about 6 BTU/hr of cooling, per watt of electricity

S.E.E.R. OF “13” (13 is now the minimum required efficiency for systems installed in the US)
Produces about 13 BTU/hr of cooling per watt of electricity
This would be more than double the cooling effect of a 6 S.E.E.R. unit

This increased efficiency has become more and more important as electricity rates continue to rise.