What Do EER and EER2 Stand For?
EER stands for Energy Efficiency Ratio. This was the metric used until December 31, 2022. Since then, it's been replaced by EER2.
EER2 stands for Energy Efficiency Ratio 2. It is an updated version of EER and is the ratio we will be primarily discussing.
What Does EER2 Mean?
EER2 is a metric used to measure energy efficiency of air conditioners and heat pumps at an outdoor cooling temperature of 95°F. This new standard was put in place on January 1, 2023 and mandates that new air conditioning and heat pump system meet, or exceed, certain efficiency levels.
For a consumer, an EER2 rating simply communicates how efficient a system is. The higher the EER2 rating, the more energy efficient the unit is, which translates to bigger savings on electricity bills and a more positive impact on the environment.
How is EER2 Calculated?
To calculate EER2, the system in question needs to run under high demand conditions:
- Outdoor temperature of 95°F
- Indoor temperature of 80°F
- 50% relative humidity
- External static pressure five times that of previous EER standards.
Once the system is running under these conditions, the calculation is simple. EER2 is found by dividing the total cooling output, in BTUs, by the amount of electrical input measured in Watts.
As a result of the new standards set out by the Department of Energy, EER2 ratings are 4.1% lower than what they would have been under previous EER standards. A unit that had an EER of 14, for example, would now have an EER2 of 13.4. Due to this decrease in ratings, air conditioning companies are required to raise the bar in quality and efficiency to ensure they are meeting new standards. This is good for you, because you are getting a better, more efficient product.
What EER2 Rating Should I Aim For?
As mentioned, the Department of Energy (DOE) set new standards for EER2 on January 1, 2023. The minimum EER2 rating requirements vary by region, so we advise you to reach out to a local HVAC technician to find out what EER2 rating works best for you and your needs.
What's the Difference Between SEER2 and EER2?
While both EER2 and SEER2 measure the energy efficiency of an air conditioner, they differ in the types of temperature conditions they concern themselves with:
- EER2 measures a system's efficiency at a peak cooling temperature of 95°F, humidity of 50%, and indoor temperature of 80°F.
- SEER2 (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating) measures a system's efficiency over a whole cooling season and does so in temperatures between 65°F and 104°F.
To make this concept a little simpler, you can think of a SEER2 rating as the average efficiency rating of an air conditioning system, while the EER2 rating is the efficiency rating for one particular scenario.
Since SEER2 is often more applicable and more significant to the majority people, most of the MRCOOL products we offer will have the SEER2 rating listed, rather than the EER2 rating. If you are interested in knowing a particular unit's EER2 rating, feel free to reach out to us and we can provide you with that information.
Like EER2, SEER2 minimum requirements vary by region. As a general rule of thumb however, single-packaged air conditioners and split systems in the Northern part of the United States require a minimum SEER2 rating of 13.4. In the Southwest and Southeast of the United States, split system air conditioners under 45K BTU require a minimum SEER2 of 14.3, while those with capacities greater than 45K BTU require a SEER2 rating of at least 13.8.
When Does EER2 Matter
After reading about SEER2 and its significance, you might be questioning why EER2 matters at all? Well, understanding EER2 provides A/C owner's with a more complete picture of their system's efficiency, and it plays an even more important role for individuals in the South of the United States; places like Texas and Florida.
Since these states tend to have hot, humid weather all summer long, and sometimes all year long, EER2 ratings provide homeowners with a more accurate idea of how their air conditioner will realistically perform. Homeowners in the North won't find much use in that information since it isn't too common for temperatures to reach 95°F in those areas.
When looking at what unit is right for you, consider the following:
- A unit with a high EER2 rating but a low SEER2 rating will likely perform efficiently in warmer clients, but offer poor efficiency when the temperature is more mild.
- A unit with a high SEER2 rating but a bad EER2 rating will likely offer great efficiency in more mild climates, but offer poor efficiency in hot, humid ones.
Still Have Questions?
If you still have questions about EER2 and what system is right for you, feel free to reach out to us. One of our MRCOOL HVAC Supply representatives will be more than happy to help.
If you're looking to buy a new high EER2 rated air conditioner, make sure to browse through our wide selection of MRCOOL products.
