13 SEER

The Department of Energy (DOE) measures the efficiency of residential air conditioners in numbers called SEER ratings (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio). Since 1992, the minimum efficiency standard for newly-manufactured air conditioning equipment had been 10 SEER. But, beginning January 23, 2006, new government mandates require that manufactures of HVAC equipment can no longer make anything less than 13 SEER rated air conditioning equipment. Once the supply of 10 SEER equipment and components is depleted, only the 13 SEER equipment will be available for replacements. Due to their efficiency, these components and systems cost much more than the components or systems they replace. Several major components of an air conditioner can be replaced independently of one another, allowing a system to be repaired vs. replaced. However there may be some incompatibility issues between 10 SEER and 13 SEER equipment that may require additional components to be replaced rather than the one component that failed. For example: When a 10 SEER condenser, which is outside your home, can’t be repaired and must be replaced with a 13 SEER unit; the 10 SEER evaporative coil, inside your home, must also be replaced with a 13 SEER unit even though there is no mechanical malfunction with the 10 SEER evaporative coil. In addition, modifications may be required to convert to a 13 SEER system - all resulting in additional cost to the homeowner.

The new energy efficient air conditioning equipment is often larger and weighs more than older systems. Modifications, in many cases, will be required to provide adequate space and/or structural support to accommodate the new energy efficient air conditioning equipment. Implementation of required modifications may also cause a delay in installation of the new equipment. Home protection plans generally do not cover the modifications required to provide adequate space and/or structural support; it will be the responsibility of the homeowner to make the required modifications during the installation of the equipment. An Everything Residential plan will absorb a significant amount of the cost associated with providing the equipment and installation labor which is required for compliance with the federally mandated requirements. Unfortunately, there may be inconvenience and cost to the homeowner; however, the advantage of the new energy efficiency equipment is that it should require less energy for the air conditioning system to operate and should result in long term lower cost to the homeowner to run.