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Recent Articles
Pre-Season AC Maintenance: Why a Professional Inspection Matters
Pre-Season AC Maintenance has many benefits for homeowners – increased efficiency, enhanced reliability and improved indoor air quality.
How HVAC Efficiency Has Improved Over the Last 10 Years
HVAC technology has made significant strides in the past decade. In this article, we’ll highlight five significant advancements that the HVAC industry has made, and explain why they benefit homeowners.
About Comfort
Comfort Air Conditioning + Heating is a premier high-end HVAC company serving Manhattan, Brooklyn and select parts of Long Island, including the East End. We specialize in everything from traditional to ductless air conditioning systems.
Five Air Conditioner Ratings You Should Know
Several important ratings can help you determine the system’s efficiency, performance, and suitability when purchasing an air conditioning system for your home. In this article, we’ll highlight five important ratings you should know.
1. SEER2: Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio
SEER2 is an updated standard introduced in 2023 for measuring the efficiency of air conditioners and heat pumps. A higher SEER2 rating equals More energy efficiency and lower operating costs.
- The minimum standard in the U.S. is SEER2 14.3 (for the South and Southwest) and SEER2 13.4 (for the North). Modern units can go up to SEER 25+, but the highest rating may not be right for your home (see “Wrapping it Up” below).
2. EER: Energy Efficiency Ratio
This rating is like the SEER rating above but measures efficiency under specific conditions (rather than seasonally).
- It is helpful in hot climates where ACs run continuously.
- Higher EER ratings indicate better performance under peak conditions.
3. BTU: British Thermal Units
This is an essential indicator of how much cooling power the Air Conditioner has.
- Higher BTU = More cooling power, but too much can cause cycling issues.
- Ideal BTU depends on room size (for example, 12,000 BTU for 500 square feet).
4. ENERGY STAR Certification
- Signifies the unit meets EPA efficiency standards.
- Certified ACs use 10% less energy than non-certified models.
5. Decibel Rating (dB)
This rating measures how much your noise your unit will make.
- Lower dB means a quieter AC.
- Under 50 dB is ideal for bedrooms or living spaces.
Wrapping it up
It’s important to know that these ratings are guidelines only. The best way to find your home’s best air conditioning system that balances energy efficiency, performance, and comfort is to speak to a highly qualified HVAC technician.