ST. LOUIS - Emerson Climate Technologies, a business of Emerson, has announced the availability of its "Quick Facts on 13 SEER" handout for contractors. The handout is designed for use by contractors to help explain the new efficiency standard and its possible effect on residential systems to homeowners. The handout also features a chart that helps homeowners estimate their annual electric bill savings if they upgrade to a 13 SEER system. It is available for download at www.emersonclimatecontractor.com.

Emerson's recent 2005 Home Air Conditioning Test, a national survey of homeowners with central air conditioning, found that 90 percent of homeowners do not know the efficiency rating of their central air conditioning system and are unaware that new air conditioners soon must meet a higher minimum federal efficiency standard. The survey also found that 55 percent of those homeowners unaware of the efficiency rating say they are concerned that they had not heard of this new mandate. Eighty percent of all the homeowners also said there is a need for more consumer education on the upcoming transition to 13 SEER.

"These results echo the findings of our 13 SEER surveys, which show that contractors are very concerned about homeowners' understanding of the 13 SEER transition and that they need tools to help them explain the new efficiency regulation to their customers," said Karl Zellmer, vice president of air conditioning sales for Emerson's Copeland Corporation. "We've developed this handout so when homeowners question why the price of a unit has increased or why their entire unit needs to be replaced, contractors have something they can give to homeowners that helps explain the new regulation."

Emerson says the Quick Facts on 13 SEER handout is one of the ways that it is helping contractors prepare for the 13 SEER regulations. The company also encourages contractors to take advantage of other opportunities to learn more about the transition, including talking to suppliers, attending product information meetings, developing strategic marketing plans, determining upsell strategies, revising sales tactics and pricing, preparing for the increased size in equipment, and educating service technicians on the new technologies in 13 SEER systems.

The 13 SEER handout, along with the 2005 Home Air Conditioning Test and 13 SEER Surveys, is a part of Emerson's "Get SEERiousâ„¢" campaign, which is designed to educate contractors, distributors, and homeowners on 13 SEER and help guide the HVAC industry through a smooth transition.

Publication date: 10/24/2005