-
Tons of Refrigeration: The Cooling Power of the System.
Tons and SEER are the two primary terms used to define the performance of a system. Tons (of Refrigeration) is a measure of the cooling power of the system. Higher ton systems cool air faster.
In the industry, the ton is equal to 12,000 Btu/hr of cooling. So, for instance, a 5 Ton system in optimal working condition removes approximately 12,000 x 5 = 60,000 Btu of heat energy from the home every hour it runs.
As mentioned on the Misconceptions page, the ton size of a system is specified by the builder based on the heat load of the home. The size of the system is only changed if the home is altered in a way that significantly changes the heat load. Oversizing a system will impair the dehumidification performance and increase the cost of the system. An undersized system will have difficulty keeping the home cool during the hottest months.
-
-
SEER: Fuel Economy for Air Conditioners
The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (abbreviated as SEER) is the most commonly used efficiency rating for air conditioners. SEER is calculated by dividing the cooling power of the system (in Btu/hr) by the average electric power consumption (in Watts).
SEER is much like automobile fuel economy: it is independently determined under ideal conditions. The actual SEER you get from your system will always be lower; how close to the ideal SEER you get depends on a number of factors, including having:
- Professional installation
- All matching efficiency equipment
- Proper maintenance (clean coils, proper refrigerant (Freon) charge, oiled motors)
The government mandates that all new systems manufactured must be at least 13 SEER. Most manufacturers offer three grades of system: the minimal 13 SEER system, a mid-grade system around 16 SEER, and a premium system around 20 SEER.
