Cooling Questions and Answers

1. What Does SEER Mean?
2. What is 410A and What Does It Have to Do With R22?

What Does SEER Mean?

Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) — A measure of seasonal or annual efficiency of a central air conditioner or air conditioning heat pump. It takes into account the variations in temperature that can occur within a season and is the average number of Btu of cooling delivered for every watt-hour of electricity used by the heat pump over a cooling season.

SEER is a way to determine the cost of operation of an HVAC unit. The higher the SEER, the greater btu/h cooling delivered for the watts of electricity consumed (better miles per gallon, so to speak). Currently 13 SEER is the national minimum for an HVAC unit, however minimum SEER requirements will continue to climb as time goes on.

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What is 410A and What Does It Have to Do With R22?

R22, Freon, is an HCFC which means it uses a mineral oil and contains fluorocarbons or ozone depleting elements. Because of this, R22 is being phased out. By 2010, HVAC manufacturers will no longer be allowed to produce an R22 based air conditioner. Supply of R22 will be reduced by 65%, but the refrigerant itself will be around to service existing units at least until 2030.

410A, Puron, is an HFC which is a refrigerant blend that uses a synthetic oil and contains no fluorocarbons or ozone depleting elements. It is a more environmental friendly refrigerant that will replace R22.

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