What Is an Acceptable SEER Rating for an Air Conditioner?

If you’re thinking over air conditioner installation in East Bernard, you should also be looking at your new air conditioner’s SEER rating.

SEER is short for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. In summary, it looks at how productive your air conditioner is at transforming electricity into cooled air. A high number indicates your air conditioner is more efficient, which is great for your cooling bills.

However, there are lots of different models on the market for air conditioners. And a greater SEER rating often includes a bigger price tag. So, how can you determine which one is right for your residence?

At E.B. Air, we offer a free, no-pressure home comfort analysis. You can get one by contacting us at 979-335-4262. Our skilled air conditioner installers will partner with you to help you choose the right air conditioner for your budget. Plus, they’ll also provide you with a free, no-obligation estimate.

In the meantime, let’s review SEER ratings and how they can impact your family’s comfort. And your energy costs.

Why Do the SEER Ratings Even Matter?

In 2016, the federal government made new SEER rules. New air conditioners must be at baseline 13 SEER in the northern United States and 14 SEER in the southeast and southwest. If you don’t know when you had your air conditioner installed or what its SEER ranking is, you can check the sticker on the system outside your home. If you can’t locate the sticker, you can give us a call at 979-335-4262 for assistance.

If your air conditioner was put in prior to that time, it’s presumably much less efficient. Cooling technology has quickly changed in the past couple of years, with major advancements in energy efficiency and smart home capacity. Using your new air conditioner with a smart thermostat could help you conserve more on utility expenses, as the thermostat can automatically change your temperature settings when you’re away.

If your existing air conditioner has a SEER rating between 8 and 10, installing a 14-SEER system could save you close to 30–50% on annual utility expenses. Your savings depend on your air conditioner size and your thermostat settings.

Is the Higher the SEER the Better?

An air conditioner with a greater SEER rating will be more efficient at transforming electricity for cooling. The highest efficiency ones, which can go as big as 26 SEER, have ENERGY STAR® endorsement. This certification shows the air conditioner meets EPA requirements for energy savings and environmental conservation.

While ENERGY STAR air conditioners are frequently pricier, you’ll usually get the difference returned throughout the years through cheaper utility costs. These air conditioners, which are generally rated 16 SEER and higher, use about 8% less electricity than other new systems, according to ENERGY STAR.

One of the largest differences between a 14 SEER and 16 SEER is variable-speed technology. A variable-speed air conditioner can run at varying speeds. This improves comfort for your family while keeping your power bills down. It can also keep temperatures and humidity more balanced, since it can operate for longer without requiring a lot more energy.

When buying a variable-speed air conditioner, you’ll want to ensure that your furnace or air handler is compatible. This is since your air conditioner depends on this equipment’s blower to disperse chilled air around your house. Furnaces only work for about 20 years, so if yours is around that age, we suggest getting furnace installation at the same time so you can get all the perks of your variable-speed air conditioner.

When you’re set to replace your air conditioner, the cooling specialists at E.B. Air are available to support you. Give us a call at 979-335-4262 to schedule your free home comfort analysis right away.