What Does My SER Rating Mean?
What Does My SER™ Rating Mean?
It’s Simple Math
When an NCI certified contractor measures the SER™ of your system, the test reveals the ratio of actual heating or cooling delivery compared to the rated amount the equipment produced when the manufacturer tested the equipment. For example, if an air conditioner worked perfectly, it would be rated at a CSER™ of 100%. But if it only delivered half the cooling, the CSER would be 50%. In simple terms, 14 SEER air conditioning equipment could only operate like 7 SEER equipment.
HSER™and CSER™
HSER stands for Heating System Efficiency Ratio - it rates your heating system’s efficiency. CSER represents Cooling System Efficiency Ratio and rates the efficiency of your air conditioning system. This rating provides specific information about the performance of your system that has never been available to consumers before. More important, the testing that establishes the rating identifies exactly what needs to be done to your system to improve your comfort and efficiency.
How Can My SER™ Rating be Increased?
While new high efficiency heating and cooling equipment may help, the number one factor in determining system efficiency is your duct system. Heating and cooling travels through ducts that are often too restrictive, damaged, poorly maintained, or improperly designed and installed from the beginning. Your certified contractor can fix many of these problems and increase your SER. An NCI certified Combustion Analyst can also measure and adjust your furnace’s combustion efficiency for maximum fuel savings.
Frequently Asked Questions
QUESTION: How long does it take to measure the SER™ of my system?
ANSWER: It depends on the size of your home. Normally, the testing takes between one and two hours. But stay for the show. The testing is clean, informative and entertaining.
QUESTION: Is there a problem with customary equipment efficiency ratings?
ANSWER: It’s important to understand that equipment ratings are only the potential efficiency of that component of the system under perfect conditions. Think of it as trying to rate your car’s mpg based on just testing the motor by itself. Over half of the system’s efficiency depends on the duct system and the field-installation.
QUESTION: Can I get a 100% SER™ Rating?
ANSWER: It has been done before, but it’s very difficult. SER Ratings of 90% or better are frequently achieved. What’s more important is that your system’s efficiency can often be increased by 25% to 50%. The biggest benefit is the increase in comfort that you will enjoy every day by actually getting the heating and cooling you’re paying for!
QUESTION: Why doesn’t every contractor offer this rating system?
ANSWER: Unfortunately, there are less than 5000 technicians in the world certified to perform this testing. Most contractors simply aren’t willing to invest in the tools and training to provide this valuable service.
When a typical heating and cooling contractor quotes the efficiency of the equipment (SEER or AFUE) and leads you to believe the new equipment will automatically deliver that efficiency, think again. Typical installed equipment only operates at 55% to 70% of rated capacity. An NCI trained and certified contractor will field-measure the installed efficiency of your old system. Your contractor may then recommend improvements while installing your new equipment. He will then measure the new system’s performance to prove the new system is functioning as designed. By taking this approach your contractor will help ensure that you get the comfort and energy savings you’re paying for.