SEER Ratings & AHRI Matchups : SEER and HSPF Ratings

 Purpose:

• SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) and HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor) are ratings used to measure the efficiency of HVAC systems.

SEER Ratings:

• Definition: SEER measures the efficiency of a condenser when the system is in cooling mode. It’s similar to a car's miles per gallon rating, indicating how efficiently the equipment operates.

• Usage: SEER ratings help estimate annual cooling costs, though this is variable due to regional cost differences.

• System Pairing:

  • SEER is not achieved by a single piece of equipment but rather through the combination of an air handler and condenser.
  • For example, a 17 SEER condenser paired with an average air handler may only achieve a 16 SEER rating. Conversely, pairing a condenser with a high-end air handler can result in a higher overall SEER rating.

• Tonnage Consideration:

  • As tonnage increases, the ability to improve SEER with an efficient air handler decreases.
  • Tonnage, which refers to the system’s capacity measured in BTUs (British Thermal Units), is determined by the contractor based on the heating and cooling load of the home.

• Regional Requirements:

  • SEER requirements are regionally enforced.
  • As of 2021, the Southern regions require a minimum of 14 SEER, while Northern regions require 13 SEER.
  • New constructions can be equipped with specific SEER ratings in mind.

• Home Efficiency Impact:

  • Modern homes, which are built with better sealing and insulation, can support high-SEER systems like 20 SEER.
  • Older homes may not be able to support such high-efficiency systems, leading to compromised performance.

HSPF Ratings:

• Definition: HSPF measures the efficiency of heat pumps in heating mode, similar to how SEER measures cooling efficiency.

• Calculation: HSPF is determined by combining the SEER of the heat pump and the SEER of the air handler.

• Supplementary Heat: HSPF also includes the total heat output, factoring in any supplementary electric heat, as many air handlers come with built-in electric heaters.

• System Pairing:

  • Like SEER, the HSPF rating is influenced by the combination of the heat pump and air handler.
  • A high-rated heat pump may underperform if paired with an average air handler, while a lower-rated heat pump may perform better with a high-end air handler.

• Regional Requirements:

  • HSPF requirements are less strictly enforced than SEER.
  • The nationwide HSPF requirement for heat pumps is 8.2, which most systems meet regardless of the region.

• Home Efficiency Impact:

  • Factors such as window sealing, insulation, and roof type can impact the efficiency and cost of heating, much like they do with cooling efficiency.