Central Air Conditioner SEER2 vs SEER Energy Consumption & Cooling Degree Day (CDD) Benchmark Matrix

Name: Central Air Conditioner SEER2 vs SEER Energy Consumption & Cooling Degree Day (CDD) Benchmark Matrix
Published: 2026-09-02
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Miad S., PowerLab Clean Energy Engineering Group

doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.33678514

📊 Home Energy DatasetVersion 1.0.0CC BY 4.0 Open AccessDOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.33678514↗

Central Air Conditioner SEER2 vs SEER Energy Consumption & Cooling Degree Day (CDD) Benchmark Matrix

Steady-state electrical power draw (Watts at 95°F), annual kilowatt-hour operational demands, and DOE M1 static pressure metrics across 1.5 to 5.0 nominal cooling tons referencing AHRI 210/240 rating conditions.

Record Count26 Records

Format / SizeCSV / Tabular Matrix (4 KB)

Published Date2026-09-02

Primary RepositoryFigshare

📥 Download CSV Dataset 📊 View on Figshare ↗📄 Read Whitepaper (PL-TR-2026-HVAC01) →

1. Abstract & Dataset Scope

Provides a source-informed benchmark matrix evaluating energy consumption, external static pressure adjustments (0.50 in. w.g. under DOE 10 CFR Part 430 Appendix M1 vs 0.10–0.20 in. w.g. legacy SEER), and regional annual kilowatt-hour demand across 1.5-ton to 5.0-ton residential central air conditioning split systems.

2. Technical Methodology & Benchmark Formulation

Calculated using DOE 10 CFR Part 430 Appendix M1 rating procedures and AHRI 210/240 performance standards, accounting for blower fan wattage deratings at 0.50 inches water column external static pressure across single-stage, two-stage, and variable-speed systems.

Reproducibility Standard: All values are deterministically generated from the documented assumptions, equations, source references, and modeling parameters described on this page. The dataset is an engineering benchmark and does not constitute certified laboratory test data or certification to any referenced standard.

3. Data Dictionary & Variable Definitions

Variable Name	Symbol	Unit	Type	Description	Example
System Identifier	ID	Text Key	String	Unique equipment profile identifier	AC-3.0T-15.2S2
System Classification	Type	Equipment Category	String	Split System AC or Heat Pump cooling platform	Split System AC
Nominal Cooling Tonnage	Tons	Tons (12,000 BTU/hr)	Float	Nominal cooling capacity rating	3
Rated Cooling Capacity	Cap_btu	BTU/hr	Integer	Rated sensible plus latent cooling capacity	36000
Legacy SEER Rating	SEER	BTU/Wh	Float	Legacy Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio at 0.10–0.20 in. w.g.	16
Modern SEER2 Rating	SEER2	BTU/Wh	Float	Updated SEER2 rating per DOE Appendix M1 at 0.50 in. w.g.	15.2
EER2 Rating at 95°F	EER2_95	BTU/Wh	Float	Energy Efficiency Ratio at 95°F ambient outdoor rating point	12
Compressor Modulation	Stage	Stage Type	String	Compressor staging architecture (Single-Stage vs Two-Stage vs Inverter)	Single-Stage
Rated Airflow	CFM	CFM	Integer	Nominal indoor blower airflow volume	1200
Electrical Power Draw at 95°F	P_draw_95	Watts (W)	Integer	Steady-state total power draw at 95°F outdoor temperature	2480
Hourly Full-Load Energy	kWh_hr	kWh/Hour	Float	Full-load electrical consumption per operating hour	2.48
Annual Cooling Hours (Moderate)	Hours_mod	Hours/Year	Integer	Estimated yearly cooling compressor operating hours in moderate climate	900
Annual kWh (Moderate)	kWh_mod	kWh/Year	Integer	Estimated yearly cooling kilowatt-hours in moderate climate	2230
Annual Operating Cost (Moderate)	Cost_mod	$/Year	Float	Estimated yearly electricity operating cost at 16¢/kWh baseline	356.8
Annual Cooling Hours (Hot South)	Hours_hot	Hours/Year	Integer	Estimated yearly cooling compressor operating hours in high-cooling climate	1800
Annual kWh (Hot South)	kWh_hot	kWh/Year	Integer	Estimated yearly cooling kilowatt-hours in high-cooling climate	4460
Annual Operating Cost (Hot South)	Cost_hot	$/Year	Float	Estimated yearly electricity operating cost in high-cooling climate	713.6
Estimated Carbon Emissions	CO2_lbs	lbs CO2/Year	Float	Annual operational CO2 footprint based on national grid average	1917.8

4. Sample Data Records Preview

Displaying 6 representative rows (Full dataset contains 26 Records)

system id	system type	tonnage	seer	seer2	watts 95f	annual kwh mod	annual cost mod
AC-1.5T-13.4S2	Split System AC	1.5	14	13.4	1380	1240	$198.40
AC-2.0T-13.8S2	Split System AC	2	14.5	13.8	1790	1610	$257.60
AC-2.5T-14.3S2	Split System AC	2.5	15	14.3	2180	1960	$313.60
AC-3.0T-15.2S2	Split System AC	3	16	15.2	2480	2230	$356.80
AC-4.0T-15.2S2	Split System AC	4	16	15.2	3310	2980	$476.80
AC-5.0T-15.7S2	Split System AC	5	16.5	15.7	4020	3620	$579.20

5. Limitations & Engineering Disclaimer

This dataset provides reference engineering calculations and representative equipment benchmarks. It is not certified laboratory test data, does not constitute AHRI or DOE conformity certification, and does not replace manufacturer specification sheets or site-specific HVAC Manual J cooling load calculations.

Jurisdictional Notice: Model codes become legally enforceable when adopted or incorporated by the applicable jurisdiction, including applicable local amendments. System designers and installers must consult the requirements adopted by the applicable Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) and current manufacturer technical specifications.

6. Dataset Citation (BibTeX / APA / IEEE)

When referencing this dataset in academic preprints, technical reports, or computational tooling, please cite using the formal reference metadata below:

APA Style

Miad S., & PowerLab Clean Energy Engineering Group. (2026). Central Air Conditioner SEER2 vs SEER Energy Consumption & Cooling Degree Day (CDD) Benchmark Matrix (Version 1.0.0) [Data set]. Figshare. https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.33678514

IEEE Style

Miad S. and PowerLab Clean Energy Engineering Group, "Central Air Conditioner SEER2 vs SEER Energy Consumption & Cooling Degree Day (CDD) Benchmark Matrix," Figshare, 2026, doi: 10.6084/m9.figshare.33678514.

BibTeX Record

@dataset{powerlab_2026_seer2_dataset,
  author       = {Miad S. and {PowerLab Clean Energy Engineering Group}},
  title        = {Central Air Conditioner SEER2 vs SEER Energy Consumption & Cooling Degree Day (CDD) Benchmark Matrix},
  year         = {2026},
  publisher    = {Figshare},
  version      = {1.0.0},
  doi          = {10.6084/m9.figshare.33678514},
  url          = {https://www.powelab.org/datasets/central-air-conditioner-seer2-cooling-degree-day-benchmark}
}