空调负荷通常是夏季建筑中最大的能耗。根据空调、供暖和制冷研究所概述的测试，大多数制冷设备都标有季节能效比（SEER）。联邦政府要求所有系统满足标准SEER评级，联邦效率计划能源之星使用SEER作为系统的判断标准。然而，SEER评级测试并不一定能反映所有气候区，关于SEER评级是否真的能有效规划不同地区的节能系统激励措施，仍存在不确定性。 2011年，在亚利桑那州凤凰城附近部署了一个大型项目，以测量具有一系列SEER评级的住宅空调的实际现场性能。客户调查信息用于对平方英尺和其他因素进行标准化。这项研究的结果有助于确定在炎热干燥的夏季气候下，短期季节效率与SEER评级之间存在何种相关性，以便制定适当的效用激励计划。这项研究的结果将被呈现。引用:德克萨斯州达拉斯ASHRAE会议论文。

Air conditioning loads are generally the largest consumer of energy in a building for the summer season. Most cooling equipment is labeled with a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER), based on tests outlined by the Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute. The federal government requires all systems to meet standard SEER ratings, and the federal efficiency program ENERGY STAR uses SEER as judgment criteria for systems. However, the SEER rating test is not necessarily reflective of all climate zones, and uncertainty remains about whether SEER ratings are truly effective for planning incentives for energy efficient systems in different regions. In 2011, a large project was deployed around Phoenix, Arizona, to measure the actual field performance of residential air conditioners with a range of SEER ratings. Customer survey information was used to normalize for square footage and other factors. The results of this study helps determine what correlation exists between the shorter-term seasonal efficiency and SEER rating in the hot, dry summer climate, so that appropriate utility incentive programs can be established. The findings of this study will be presented.