What Is the Right SEER Rating for Air Conditioners?

If you’re needing air conditioner installation in Dundas and Northfield, you should also be considering your new air conditioner’s SEER rating.

SEER is short for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. Simply put, it looks at how capable your air conditioner is at converting electricity into cooled air. A bigger number means your air conditioner is more efficient, which is great for your electrical bills.

However, there are lots of different solutions out there for air conditioners. And a greater SEER ranking often is accompanied by a more expensive price tag. So, how can you find out which one is best for your residence?

At Better Air, we offer a free, no-pressure home comfort analysis. You can request one by contacting us at 507-663-1208. Our skilled air conditioner installers will partner with you to help you find the right air conditioner for your needs. Plus, they’ll also give you a free, no-obligation estimate.

In the meantime, let’s review SEER ratings and how they can affect your home’s comfort. And your electric expenses.

Why Do the SEER Ratings Even Matter?

In 2016, the federal government developed new SEER criteria. New air conditioners are mandated at baseline 13 SEER in the northernmost United States and 14 SEER in the southeast and southwest. If you’re not sure when you had your air conditioner installed or what its SEER number is, you can check the sticker on the system outside your home. If you can’t locate the sticker, you can reach us at 507-663-1208 for assistance.

If your air conditioner was installed prior to that date, it’s presumably much less efficient. Air conditioning technology has quickly changed in the past couple of years, with major progress in energy efficiency and smart home capacity. Using your new air conditioner with a smart thermostat could help you conserve more on electric expenses, since the thermostat can seamlessly manage your temperature settings when you’re away.

If your present air conditioner has a SEER rating between 8 and 10, adding a 14-SEER system could save you an estimated 30–50% on annual utility expenses. Your savings relate to your air conditioner size and your temp settings.

Is the Higher the SEER the Better?

An air conditioner with a better SEER rating will be more efficient at using electricity for cooling. The best efficient ones, which can go as big as 26 SEER, have ENERGY STAR® designation. This certification signifies the air conditioner matches EPA rules for energy savings and environmental conservation.

While ENERGY STAR air conditioners are frequently more expensive, you’ll usually get the difference back over the years through lower utility costs. These air conditioners, which are frequently rated 16 SEER and higher, consume about 8% less energy than other new units, according to ENERGY STAR.

One of the greatest differences between a 14 SEER and 16 SEER is variable-speed technology. A variable-speed air conditioner can cool at varying speeds. This refines comfort for your loved ones while keeping your utility costs down. It can also keep temperatures and humidity more even, since it can run for longer without requiring a lot more energy.

When buying a variable-speed air conditioner, you’ll want to check that your furnace or air handler is compatible. This is because your air conditioner uses this equipment’s blower to send cold air across your home. Furnaces only run for about 20 years, so if yours is around that age, we suggest getting furnace installation at the same time so you can receive all the advantages of your variable-speed air conditioner.

When you’re prepared to replace your air conditioner, the cooling specialists at Better Air are ready to assist you. Give us a call at 507-663-1208 to book your free home comfort analysis right away.