New law puts the squeeze on homeowners' wallets.
What's the new rule? After January 23, 2006, air conditioners are mandated by law to be 30% more efficient --from the minimum standard 10 SEER to the higher efficient 13 SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio). This will lower utility bills, but 13 SEER air conditioners will be significantly more expensive to purchase up front than the 10, 11, & 12 SEER counterparts.
Some Background. Air Conditioner efficiency is measured in SEER. Air conditioners with higher SEER ratings are more efficient. A 12 SEER air conditioner is 20% more efficient than a 10 SEER. After 12 SEER however, manufacturing costs go up dramatically while the additional efficiency gains are slight. This is why the Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Institute (ARI) fought for a minimum efficiency of 12 SEER, rather than 13 SEER. They lost.
How does this impact consumers? The new 13 SEER equipment will be much larger in size because more coil (tubing) is needed to achieve the system's efficiency target. It will take more space to stock the same amount of equipment . It will also be heavier. These 2 factors mean higher freight costs to get from point A to point B. Also consider that 2 people will usually be required to set equipment that used to only take one person thereby increasing labor costs.
A. O. Smith (motor manufacturer) spokesman Terry Glass, said more efficient motors generally require more steel and copper, plus more electronics to enhance performance characteristics. The electronics add to the cost. "When it reaches the consumer, the unit cost isn't going to be 20 or 30 percent higher (reflecting the efficiency difference between 10 and 13 SEER systems); it's probably going to be worse," Glass said. Others have speculated that 13 SEER equipment will cost at least 50 percent more than same-capacity 10 SEER systems.
In addition, consumers with older evaporator coils may not be able to buy just a new outdoor air conditioning condenser. Since older evaporator coils are not designed to work with higher SEER condensers, these consumers will need to purchase a new evaporator coil as well, even if there is nothing wrong with the coil. Keep in mind however, that it is always advisable to keep equipment matched in size and efficiency. For example, an old indoor 6 SEER coil will counteract an outdoor 10 SEER condenser minimizing the efficiency savings desired.
Higher costs can be expected not just from the equipment itself but also stemming from it's installation. Refrigerant lines may need to be replaced since the higher efficient equipment require specific sizes. The larger indoor coils may not fit through scuttle holes or pull-down stairways, or fit between attic joists. They may not fit through the door jam of a hallway closet installation. Some consumers may literally be forced to pay thousands more for air conditioning.
Bottom Line. 13 + SEER systems cost more to purchase, but there is a bright side: they cost less to operate. For more information, or to schedule a free in-home estimate to replace your heating and air system, call 972.625.0639.
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