What Is a SEER Rating?

May 19, 2026

SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. It is a rating that measures the efficiency of an HVAC system over the course of an entire season. Think of it like miles per gallon for your car. It tells you how much energy your system uses to keep your home comfortable. The higher the SEER rating, the more efficient the system. In 2023, the industry updated how these systems are tested to better reflect real-world conditions. These updated ratings are called SEER2. The idea is simple. Give homeowners a more accurate picture of how their system actually performs, not just how...

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Why Is There a Shortage of the New Refrigerant (R454B)?

July 3, 2025

The HVAC industry has had many new regulations recently and a short review of this history might help understand the current situation. In 2019, manufacturers were no longer able to produce residential furnaces that had traditional AC powered PSC blower motors, favoring instead the more efficient DC powered ones. In 2020 we saw the end of production of R22 refrigerant and the beginning of the reduction in production of R410A. The M1 Efficiency Increase came in 2023, and now in 2025 we have begun the A2L refrigerant transition. This transition marks the end of production of all residential R410A equipment....

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How Long Will R-410A Be Around?

March 4, 2025

There is a lot of confusion today about the laws regulating refrigerants, especially around R-410A, and how it can be used. The confusion is mostly around the specifics of how the refrigerants, sometimes called freon, can be used and how long they are going to be available. In this blog, we’ll explore some common questions and misconceptions. An Overview of the Use and Availability of Refrigerants The reason we have a question about the use and availability of refrigerants is because of the EPA and global agreement’s restriction of harmful chemicals, including refrigerants. The original refrigerant R-12 was determined to...

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What is Staging, and What Does it Mean for Me?

June 28, 2023

Most people who are faced with having to consider replacing their HVAC system are not experts. In an average homeowner’s life, they will likely only have to go through the process of buying a new system once or twice. But there are so many options that make it difficult to understand what the options will really do for them. It is also difficult to understand and decide what’s best for a particular situation at a particular time. Hopefully, if you find yourself in this situation, you decide to have a Summit Comfort Expert come to your home. Our teammates are...

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The IRA and You: A Dive Into how it Affects Your HVAC Decisions in 2023

January 20, 2023

The Inflation Reduction Act, IRA, that was signed on August 16th 2022 has the potential to create great benefits that may influence your HVAC decisions in the coming years. There are several different programs which can be quite confusing. Along with program guidelines, the program’s timelines are also not clearly defined. We are going to go over the 3 main programs for HVAC that this Act includes and rough timeframes on when we can expect movement in the program creation and implementation. Bigger and Better Federal Tax Credits! You may not have realized it, but there has been a Federal...

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How Do I Winterize My HVAC System?

December 14, 2022

The process of winterizing refers to preparing for the cold season. The best time to start this process is early fall, before winter sets in. Preparing your heating and cooling system to endure the cold temperatures coming to your area in Kansas City is essential. Although winterizing your HVAC system can be relatively simple, it can be very time-consuming and challenging. That’s why it’s essential that you give yourself ample time to complete the necessary steps and to hire a professional for help. 6 Components to Winterizing your HVAC system You can take several steps to ensure that your HVAC...

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We Do R22

December 4, 2022

What you should know about R22 While the entire HVAC industry knows R22 is being phased out and no longer being produced, most homeowners don’t become aware of that fact until their Air Conditioner or Heat Pump starts having issues. Most people don’t even know what refrigerant is used in their system or what it does. In its simplest terms, refrigerant is the medium by which heat is moved. There are different types of refrigerants. R22 was the most popular form for residential air conditioners until 2010 when it was federally mandated that equipment could no longer be produced with...

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Should I Cover My HVAC System During the Winter?

November 20, 2022

From about mid-fall to late spring throughout our Missouri and Kansas service area, homeowners don’t use their cooling systems. At Summit Heating and Cooling, we’re a leading HVAC company so many people ask us, “should I cover my HVAC system during the winter?” It makes sense to protect the unit during winter. However, a tight covering of plastic can actually be counterproductive, since it keeps moisture in and air stagnant. There’s much more to learn about caring for your HVAC equipment during the winter as well. Why not just seal up your AC system outside? Tight covers can lead to...

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Why is the SEER Rating Important to My HVAC System?

July 13, 2022

If you’re considering replacing your existing HVAC system any time soon, you’ll no doubt see SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) ratings come up at some point in your search for the right system. You may already know that the SEER rating is associated with the energy efficiency of an air conditioner or heat pump. What you may not know exactly how this affects your energy costs and the performance of an HVAC system. In this article, we’ll take a look at what SEER ratings are, what they mean, and how they can affect your decision when choosing a new HVAC...

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HVAC Troubleshooting Tips

February 1, 2020

If your HVAC system isn’t blowing out air at the right temperature, there could be a simple reason. Before calling someone for repair service, you can perform a few checks yourself. These easy-to-follow tips can prevent breakdowns and keep things operational until professional help arrives. Check Vents for Blocks It’s easy for things to fall and cover vents and registers. Blankets, sweaters, and even toys can tumble from sofas and tables and drop to the floor. Furniture can also block registers and cause problems. When floor vents and wall registers are obstructed, the conditioned air gets blocked. Make a habit...

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