EER, or energy efficiency ratio and SEER or seasonal energy efficiency ratio, are both ratings related to the energy efficiency of a home cooling appliance, an air conditioner, during a change in the Temperature outside. They are typical in every appliance. Thus, knowing the correct combination is important to select the right appliance suitably.
Key Takeaways
- EER measures cooling efficiency at a single outdoor temperature, while SEER calculates efficiency over various temperatures.
- SEER ratings provide a more comprehensive view of energy efficiency for air conditioning systems, making it the preferred metric for consumers.
- Higher SEER ratings indicate better energy efficiency and can lead to lower energy costs for homeowners.
EER vs SEER
The difference between the energy efficiency ratio or EER and the seasonal energy efficiency ratio or SEER is that SEER measures how efficiently the cooling system works over a regular cooling season, whereas EER is a standardized measurement of the energy efficiency of an air conditioner during a specific outdoor temperature.
The higher the ratio of EER in an appliance (with the given and constant factors), the more efficient the air conditioner is, as it measures the efficiency at a specific outdoor temperature that is 95 degrees Fahrenheit. It is the air conditioner’s efficiency at the peak of the cooling time.
SEER is the most common way to measure the energy efficiency of an air conditioner, as it can operate over an entire season. It is unique in itself because of the ‘S’ in SEER, which stands for ‘seasonal.’ Thus, it can operate in a variety of temperatures ranging from 65 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | EER | SEER |
|---|---|---|
| Full form | Energy Efficiency Ratio | Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio |
| Usage | EER measures efficiency at a particular temperature which is at the peak cooling time. | SEER measures efficiency over a range of temperatures at a particular season. |
| Preferred type of appliance | EER is preferred for room air conditioners. | SEER is preferred for central air conditioners. |
| Specific Temperature | The specific outdoor temperature at which EER measures efficiency is 95 degrees Fahrenheit. | The range of temperature at which SEER rating tests ranges from 65- 104 degrees Fahrenheit. |
| Suitability according to location | High ratings of EER must be preferred when the location is 95 degrees F or above. | Good ratings of SSR must be considered for areas with moderate climates. |
What is EER?
EER, or energy efficiency ratio, is a standardized measurement of the energy efficiency of an air conditioner at a particular temperature. The Temperature is at the peak cooling time, in peak Temperature, i.e., 95 degrees Fahrenheit. These are mostly suitable for room air conditioners like windows, through-the-wall ACs, ductless mini-split, portable AC, etc. High energy efficiency ratings of EER in an air conditioner are most appropriate for areas with high outdoor Temperatures, 95 degrees F or above.
Air conditioners with high energy efficiency ratings are more efficient. Their purchase price is slightly higher than the rest, but they consume less electricity and last longer, compensating for the higher price in the long run. Ratings differ from appliance to appliance, depending upon their capacity. The ratings should be a minimum of 6, ranging from 9.4 to 10.7 for the bests in the present market.
The calculation of EER is a simplified process and much less complicated than the SEER’s. It is calculated by dividing the cooling capacity measured in British Thermal Units (BTU) by the maximum cooling wattage hours. The equation can be framed as below-
EER = Cooling Capacity (Maximum BTU) by Maximum Cooling Watt-Hours
What is SEER?
SEER, or seasonal energy efficiency ratio, is the most common way to measure the overall energy efficiency of an air conditioner over a range of temperatures in a particular season. The SEER rating tests and calculates efficiency at various temperatures, ranging from 65- 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Unlike EER, it can calculate efficiency at both high and low cooling hours.
Appliances with higher SEER ratings make it better as compared to others with lower SEER ratings. It is calculated by the ratio of cooling efficiency measured in British Thermal Units (BTU) and total energy consumed in watt-hours. At present, a variety of SEER-rated air conditioners are available in the market. Most outdated, functional SEER models can be replaced by replacing a piece of equipment or by specifying new installations. Because of their wide and easy availability, replacement is also cost-efficient. However, because of such replacements and installations, the quality of the appliance and the effect of cooling might degrade.
Presently, the highest rating of SEER is that of Residential split system air conditioners, at 20 SEER or above. Appliances with higher SEERs are a little above others as they have larger coils and multiple compressors. Some of them are even designed with refrigerant flow and variable supply airflow.
Main Differences Between EER and SEER
- EER stands for Energy efficiency ratio, whereas SEER stands for seasonal energy efficiency ratio. The ‘S’ in SEER makes all the difference between the two.
- EER is a rating of an air conditioner that measures the energy efficiency when the outside temperature is at its peak. SEER ratings of air cooling systems are capable of measuring the energy efficiency of a range of temperatures of an overall season.
- The highest peak of outside Temperature set for EER is 95 degrees Fahrenheit. A SEER follows a range of Temperature is 65 degrees F to 104 degrees F.
- EER is most suitable for room air conditioners like potable ACs, mini-split ACs, windows, etc. SEER is only suitable for central air cooling systems.
- EER is preferred in areas that have high temperatures, 95 degrees F or above. SEER is preferred for areas having a moderate climate.
Last Updated : 17 August, 2023
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Piyush Yadav has spent the past 25 years working as a physicist in the local community. He is a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. He holds a BSc in Natural Sciences and Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science. You can read more about him on his bio page.
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