SEER

SEER is an acronym that can refer to several distinct concepts depending on the context.

In public health and epidemiology, SEER stands for the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program, an authoritative cancer statistics resource operated by the U.S. National Cancer Institute. SEER collects and publishes incidence and survival data from population-based cancer registries and provides researchers and policymakers with baseline information on cancer incidence, survival trends, stage distribution, and treatment patterns. The program covers a substantial portion of the U.S. population and serves as a key data source for epidemiologic studies and public health planning, often used in conjunction with other cancer registries to monitor national trends over time.

In mechanical engineering and energy policy, SEER refers to the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, a metric used to rate the cooling efficiency of air conditioners and heat pumps. SEER is defined as the total cooling output in BTUs during a typical cooling season divided by the total electrical energy input in watt-hours. Higher SEER values indicate greater efficiency. Regulatory standards and labeling programs commonly specify minimum SEER requirements, and residential equipment typically ranges from the high teens to the low twenties in SEER, depending on model and year.

These are the two most common usages of SEER; other organizations or programs may use the acronym for different purposes but are comparatively less widespread.