SEER

Abbreviation with 2 meanings

SEER
Stands forSeasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio
Meanings2
CategoriesUnits & Measurements, Medical

SEER has two meanings. It stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (engineering unit) or Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (hematology and oncology).

Meanings of SEER at a glance

#SEER stands forContext
1Seasonal Energy Efficiency RatioUnits & Measurements › Engineering Unit
2Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results ProgramMedical › Hematology and Oncology

1. Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio

Units & Measurements · Engineering Unit Abbreviations · also used in science

The US efficiency rating for central air conditioners and heat pumps: seasonal cooling output in BTU divided by electricity used in watt-hours. Higher is better; federal minimums for new equipment range from about 13.4 to 14.3 SEER2 depending on region and system type.

Example: We replaced the old 10 SEER unit with a 17 SEER2 heat pump.

Since January 2023 ratings use the SEER2 test, which assumes higher duct static pressure and gives numbers several percent lower than old SEER figures for the same equipment. Related ratings include EER2 (efficiency at a single hot condition) and HSPF2 for heat-pump heating. ENERGY STAR certification requires values above the federal minimum.

2. Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program

Medical · Hematology and Oncology Abbreviations

National Cancer Institute program that collects and publishes cancer incidence, stage, treatment and survival data from population-based registries covering nearly half of the US population. It is the main source of US cancer statistics.

Example: SEER data show 5-year relative survival of 91% for localized colorectal cancer.

Started in 1973, SEER data underpin published survival rates, trend reports and thousands of research studies each year. Statistics are reported by stage at diagnosis (localized, regional and distant). Because SEER reflects people diagnosed years earlier, survival figures may underestimate outcomes with newer treatments. Pronounced "seer."

More engineering unit abbreviations

  • R – Degree Rankine
  • rad – Rad (radiation absorbed dose)
  • rem – Roentgen equivalent man
  • RPM – Revolutions per minute
  • thm – Therm
  • toe – Tonne of oil equivalent
  • TPI – Threads per inch
  • TR – Ton of refrigeration

See all 103 engineering unit abbreviations →

More hematology and oncology abbreviations

  • SCD – Sickle cell disease
  • SCLC – Small cell lung cancer
  • SCT – Sickle cell trait
  • SD – Stable disease
  • TACO – Transfusion-associated circulatory overload
  • TKI – Tyrosine kinase inhibitor
  • TLS – Tumor lysis syndrome
  • TMA – Thrombotic microangiopathy

See all 144 hematology and oncology abbreviations →

This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.