You already know about the importance of Energy Star and SEER ratings of an air conditioner. Add to them the ARI reference number – it's a very important piece of information about an air conditioner. The ARI reference number is what guarantees you that your new and shiny air conditioner is an Energy Star unit with the right SEER rating and the right amount cooling. Every air conditioner must have the ARI reference number. The next paragraph will make you an ARI reference number expert.
A residential central air conditioner has two main parts the condensing unit installed outside of the house and the evaporator installed inside the ductwork. For an air conditioner to work up to specs or to work at all, these two components must be properly matched. Each condenser works properly with only a limited number of evaporator models. Each of the matches has a unique identifier -- the ARI reference number. Think of the ARI reference number as the marriage certificate for the components of your heat pump. It's that simple.
Even if you don't check anything else, you need to verify the ARI reference number before the air conditioner is installed. On the invoice, among other information, you contractor must show three crucial pieces of data – the model number for the condenser, the model number for the evaporator, and the ARI reference number. Before the evaporator gets concealed inside the ductwork for good, check that the model number on the evaporator matches the number on the invoice. Do the same for the condenser.
To check Energy Star units, go to http://www.ceehvacdirectory.org/ac.php.
At the very top of the page, type in the ARI reference number from the invoice. Click “Search The Database”. This is the moment of truth. The site will give you the model numbers for the condenser and for the evaporator, as well as the SEER rating for the air conditioner and its cooling capacity. Do they match the numbers on the invoice? They'd better to. If they don't, do not allow the contractor to proceed with the installation. Do not accept ANY excuses. That would be my best advice to you.
Similar information is supplied in the Product Specifications or other documentation provided by the manufacturer for checking 13 SEER units.
About ARI. It stands for Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute. ARI is a trade association that represents the manufacturers of more than 90 percent of the air conditioning and commercial refrigeration equipment installed in North America. An internationally recognized leader in developing standards for these products, as well as certifying their performance, ARI is also a major advocate for the heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) industry both domestically and abroad.
