If you’ve purchased an HVAC system in the past 30 years, you’ve probably noticed the big yellow sticker labeled “ENERGY GUIDE” that points down to an Efficiency Rating or SEER.

SEER, which stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, is the ratio of cooling output (the BTUs) of an air conditioner or heat pump over the course of a typical cooling season, divided by the electrical input (the watt hours) required to run the unit in that same period.

Much like your vehicle’s MPG rating, a higher SEER rating means a more efficient air conditioning system, but just like MPG ratings, SEER ratings are affected by real-world conditions (you’re probably not getting the same mileage that was printed on the window sticker).

The Department of Energy (DOE) has enforced minimum SEER requirements since 1992, but previous testing methods did not accurately reflect real-world conditions, like poorly designed ductwork.

On January 1, 2023, new testing procedures known as SEER2 went into effect. These new SEER2 standards more accurately reflect real-world conditions, and they demand a lower energy efficiency rating so, in essence, you now have to get a better grade on a harder test.

What does this mean in practice?

The DOE divides the U.S into 3 regions (North, Southeast, and Southwest). In the Southwest and Southeast regions (which includes Florida), residential central air conditioning systems below 45,000 BTUs must have a SEER2 rating of 14.3, residential systems with 45,000 BTUs or more must have a SEER2 rating of 13.8, and heat pumps must have a SEER2 rating of 14.3.

More efficient units are cheaper to operate, but they’re also more expensive to manufacture which means that prices for these new, more energy efficient units will be higher.

If you live in Broward or Palm Beach, and you ’re about due for

If you own a home or business in South Florida, you know how important it is to have a dependable AC system, and a dependable HVAC contractor!

But not all HVAC contractors are created equal…

At All-Pro Electrical and Air Conditioning, our technicians are cross-trained in electrical and HVAC so, in addition to all the services you expect from a traditional HVAC contract, our technicians can repair or install ceiling and attic fans, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, indoor and outdoor lighting, circuit breakers, GFCI outlets, and much, much more – they can even install flat-screen TVs.

And because we believe in doing things right the first time, our trucks are fully stocked and ready to go so we can handle almost any electrical or air conditioning service in just one visit.

Best of all, our Electrical and HVAC Maintenance Plan members get:

• Preferred Pricing for Air Conditioning and Electrical installations, repairs & replacements
• All parts and labor warrantied for at least 5 years
• Lifetime warranties on all electrical upgrades
• Emergency service within 24 hours - with no overtime charges
• And 1 or 2 tune-ups/year – depending on which plan you choose

So, if you live in Broward or Palm Beach, do yourself a favor and keep our number handy because just one call to 561-988-0460 really does it all - at least when it comes to electrical and air conditioning repair, installation, and maintenance.