As the weather gets warmer, demand for air conditioning units is booming in the UK. Some retailers have seen sales of air conditioning units rise by 525%, highlighting the increasing need for cooling systems in UK offices and homes. However, if you’re planning on installing a Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning (HVAC) device within your property, it’s important to think carefully about its efficiency.
What Is EER?
Energy Efficiency Rating (EER) measures how efficient an air conditioning unit is. Whether you’re a business owner or a homeowner, EER is an extremely useful metric, as it helps you establish which air conditioning unit will be the most energy efficient for your property and save you money in the long term.
This ratio works by comparing the cooling capacity of the unit in British thermal units per hour (BTU/h) to the unit’s power input in watts. In simple terms, it provides you with a ratio of useful cooling output to electricity input to determine how much heat energy the unit can remove from the property. The higher the EER rating, the greater the cooling effect for every watt of energy used.
For example, if you have a 10,000 BTU/h air conditioning unit with an EER rating of 10, you’ll need to provide it with 1,000W of power to reach its cooling capacity.
What Is Seasonal Efficiency?
EER may not necessarily be the most useful ratio if your property is located in a country or region where the weather conditions can change drastically from season to season. For example, here in the UK, the warmest season is Summer, with June, July and August being the warmest months. However, the weather tends to be less than favourable throughout the rest of the year. So, it’s no surprise that some property owners do not use their air conditioning units all year round.
Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratings (SEER) tend to be used by many manufacturers and suppliers. Similar to EER, SEER also takes into account the unit’s cooling output relative to the electricity input. However, this ratio is a lot more specific as it also measures the seasonal factors that influence air conditioning usage. Essentially, it measures the unit’s efficiency throughout the main cooling period, as opposed to the entire year. Generally speaking, if your property is located in the UK, this will be summer.
COP Vs EER
While EER measures the cooling performance of your HVAC device, the Coefficient Of Performance (COP) ratio measures how efficient the heat performance of your air conditioning unit is. Combined, these ratios establish the heating and cooling output of your unit relative to the electricity required to run it.
Say, for example, your air conditioner requires 1,000W of electricity to generate 5,000 BTU/h of heat, it would have a COP rating of 5. The higher the COP rating, the more energy efficient your unit is.
How To Calculate EER For Air Conditioning
EER is calculated by dividing the cooling capacity (BTU/h) by the power consumption (watts). If these values have not been supplied by the supplier, it’s a good idea to contact the manufacturer.
- Cooling capacity (BTU/h): Power input (watts)
What Is Considered Good EER?
As a general rule of thumb, it’s best to choose an air conditioner with the highest EER rating. Ideally, the EER rating of your unit should be at least 12 or above. Having said that, it’s important to not focus solely on the EER rating. After all, there is a myriad of other factors to consider when comparing air conditioning units, from the cost and quality of the unit to HVAC filters to help you keep your property at a comfortable temperature when the weather gets warmer.
On top of this, you also need to decide whether you need central air conditioning or multi-split air conditioning. If you’re struggling to establish your cooling and heating needs, read our guide on how to find the right air conditioner for your needs. Read our complete guide to commercial HVAC systems to learn more.
Why EER Is An Important Consideration When Buying Air Conditioning
Yes, the BTU value is an important factor to take into account when comparing air conditioning units. However, the BTU value does not provide the whole picture. The BTU simply indicates the cooling capacity of your air conditioning unit. Even if a unit has a strong cooling capacity, it may require a lot of energy to generate it, causing your energy bills to skyrocket.
Using EER and SEER ratings, on the other hand, allows you to determine how energy efficient the unit is. Not only that, but it also provides you with an estimate of the cost of cooling your home, allowing you to reduce your energy bills and carbon footprint. Research shows that energy-efficient cooling can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 460 billion tonnes.
More than that, EER provides you with a clear idea of how reliable the system will be. The higher the quality of your system, the less maintenance it will likely require. If you choose an air conditioning unit with a good EER rating, it will likely have a longer lifespan. This way, you can be sure that you are making the most out of your investment. That being said, there is a limit on how long your air conditioner will last. With this in mind, it’s important to regularly service your air conditioning. With regular maintenance, you can fix faulty or malfunctioning parts before they impact other components. To learn more, read our guide on how often air conditioning should be serviced.
With over 25 years of experience in the commercial, domestic and industrial air conditioning industry, our expert engineers are industry leaders in their field. At PRA air conditioning, our experts are on-hand to help you with both the installation and supply of air conditioning. We can supply and install air conditioning units for clients across the UK, including the West Midlands, the South West and South Wales. To learn more about air conditioning efficiency, get in touch with our professionals today.