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The Conservation Zone: Air Conditioning/SEER Rating

  Cool It This Summer

Peter Love

Chief Energy Conservation Officer

Conservation Bureau

We can no longer take our electricity for granted. And with hot summer days on the way, every kilowatt will count as our power generators produce the extra electricity we’ll need to keep Ontario’s homes and businesses cool.

Residential cooling can add up to 50 per cent of your household electricity consumption in the summer.  Imagine the effect if every one of the 2 million homeowners with central air conditioning put their minds to using less energy to cool their homes this summer. I believe it can happen. Together, let’s do it!

SEER Can Help

SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) tells you how efficiently your A/C unit is using electricity. The higher the number, the greater the efficiency. New Ontario regulations now require that all newly- manufactured A/C units have a 13 SEER or greater. If your current model is less than that, you’re paying more for the extra energy it takes to run a less efficient system. That’s “the second price tag.”

Although it is still possible to buy previously-manufactured less-efficient models with SEER ratings below 13, it’s important to think about the second price tag before you buy your next A/C unit. For example, 10 SEER units consume over 30 per cent more energy than 14 SEER. And you’ll be paying for this extra energy for the next 15 years at least! If you’re in the market to buy, rely on the ENERGY STAR label to help you choose the more efficient models.

Also, older models are more likely to use “R22” refrigerant that is being phased out because it harms the ozone layer. If you chose a newer more-efficient model that uses ozone-friendly refrigerant, you help the environment and you won’t have to worry about the availability of refrigerant for your system in the future.    

Keep It Clean

All appliances run more efficiently when they’re kept clean and in good working order. Make sure your A/C unit is serviced by a qualified technician well before hot weather arrives, so you’ll be ready for those dog days this year! We’re offering a rebate of $50 when your contractor gives your central air conditioning system a tune up before June 15.  Visit our web site for details. During the summer, make sure your furnace filters are replaced as needed, and keep cooling fans free of debris. When using air conditioning, keep all windows and doors closed, and as much as possible, keep curtains closed to keep the sun’s heat out. Also, don’t forget to program your thermostat appropriately when you’re away from home at work and on summer vacation.  

Get your Rebates!

Our Cool Savings program offers a rebate of $50 on an air-conditioning system tune-up before June 15, and $500 if you replace your old central air system with a new ENERGY STAR 14 SEER or higher system before August 31.  If you’re in the market for a new system, call your electrical contractor for details, or visit our web site at www.conservationbureau.on.ca and click on Cool Savings.

My role as Chief Energy Conservation Officer is to ensure conservation and energy efficiency play a vital role in Ontario’s ongoing energy strategy.

 “The Conservation Zone” is designed to help you find ways to use energy more wisely, and become part of Ontario’s growing conservation culture. I issue a friendly challenge to all Ontarians to think about how they can use energy more wisely this summer. I hope these columns will help you to get started on your own conservation culture!