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Lincoln's Greener Savings Blog |
Thursday, July 02 2015
Find Your Air Conditioner's S.E.E.R.
The chart below traces the history of the S.E.E.R. for residential air conditioners and heat pumps:
The History of S.E.E.R.
Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating
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Before 1980
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6 or less
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1980 to 1985
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7 or less
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1986 to 1991
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8 or less
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1992 to 2005
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10 to 12
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2006 to present
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13* or more
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*Minimum U.S. allowable. If you're not sure when yours was installed,
find the model number on the nameplate of your unit, and give us a call at 508-428-0974.
As the number increases, your energy use for the same level of cooling decreases proportionally. That means that a 14 S.E.E.R. unit installed today will use half the energy of a 7 S.E.E.R. unit installed in the 1980s. A new 16 S.E.E.R. unit installed today will be 60% more efficient than a 10 S.E.E.R. system from the early 1990s.
Find Your Savings.
These next charts illustrate the savings owners can expect from a high efficiency replacement in a typical 2,000 sq. ft. Cape Cod home:
Eversource Energy Customers’
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Estimated Seasonal Energy Savings When
Upgrading Your Cooling System
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Your Current AC
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8 S.E.E.R.
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10 S.E.E.R.
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12 S.E.E.R..
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Estimated Seasonal Cost with An Aging AC or Heat Pump
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$519
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$415
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$345
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14 S.E.E.R.
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$296 estimated annual energy cost for cooling.
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Your Seasonal Savings
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$223
43%
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$119
29%
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$49
14%
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15 S.E.E.R.
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$275 estimated annual energy cost for cooling.
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Your Seasonal Savings
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$244
47%
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$139
34%
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$70
20%
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16 S.E.E.R.
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$260 estimated annual energy cost for cooling.
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Your Seasonal Savings
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$260
50%
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$155
37%
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$86
25%
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18 S.E.E.R.
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$231 estimated annual energy cost for cooling.
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Your Seasonal Savings
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$288
56%
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$184
44%
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$115
33%
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Source: Calculator provided by PECO Energy (www.peco.com) based on costs of cooling a typical 2,000 sq. ft. Philadelphia area home to 70°F from May through early September at Eversource's 6/2015 rate of $0.152 per kWh. Figures here are adjusted to U.S. Department of Energy estimate of 729 cooling days in the greater Boston, MA area vs 1032 in Phila.
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My Generation Energy Customers’
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Estimated Seasonal Energy Savings When
Upgrading Your Cooling System
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Your Current AC
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8 S.E.E.R.
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10 S.E.E.R.
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12 S.E.E.R..
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Estimated Seasonal Cost with An Aging AC or Heat Pump
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$757
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$604
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$503
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14 S.E.E.R.
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$431 estimated annual energy cost for cooling.
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Your Seasonal Savings
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$325
43%
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$173
29%
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$72
14%
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15 S.E.E.R.
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$401 estimated annual energy cost for cooling.
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Your Seasonal Savings
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$355
47%
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$203
34%
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$102
20%
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16 S.E.E.R.
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$378 estimated annual energy cost for cooling.
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Your Seasonal Savings
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$378
50%
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$226
37%
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$125
25%
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18 S.E.E.R.
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$336 estimated annual energy cost for cooling.
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Your Seasonal Savings
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$420
56%
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$268
44%
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$167
33%
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Source: Calculator provided by PECO Energy (www.peco.com) based on costs of cooling a typical 2,000 sq. ft. Philadelphia are home to 70°F from May through early September at My Generation's 6/2015 rate of $0.152 per kWh. Figures here are adjusted to U.S. Department of Energy estimate of 729 cooling days in the greater Boston, MA area vs 1032 in Phila.
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In fact, your actual savings are likely to be much higher than these estimates with a Balanced HVAC installation. Here’s why:
The estimates assume:
- That the system you are replacing was installed properly. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that “nearly half of all heating and cooling in the U.S. never performs to its advertised capacity due to incorrect installation.”
- That it has been maintained regularly. A neglected system typically loses between 3% and 10% efficiency per year.
- That your ductwork is properly designed and not leaking due to poor installation, aging seals or foundation settlement. The U.S. Department of Energy warns that such leaks rather than the equipment itself are “the real source of (energy efficiency) problems.”
- That your system has been properly balanced. (Most technicians don't have the skills.)
- Your system uses a standard thermostat.Addition of a programmable thermostat can increase efficiency even more.
With your installation by Balanced HVAC, you are assured maximum comfort and energy efficiency.
Learn how installation, service & maintance by Balanced HVAC can deliver what others can’t.

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"I can't say enough about your company. Your quick, and I mean quick response was great! Since Matt's visit, there's been a big difference in our system's performance all the way around. You have a customer for life. Thanks guys."
Bill Williams, Mashpee, 12/30/13
“Balanced HVAC has done a great job on our HVAC system. They provide prompt professional service. Unlike other companies, they are very clean inside the house. Our house is much more comfortable with our new system.”
Suzy, Barnstable, 6/21/13
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