What Is the Right SEER Rating for an Air Conditioner?

If you’re thinking over air conditioner installation in Justin, you should also be investigating your new air conditioner’s SEER rating.

SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. In summary, it gauges how efficient your air conditioner is at changing electricity into chilled air. A bigger number means your air conditioner is more efficient, which is excellent for your cooling costs.

However, there are lots of varying options available for air conditioners. And a greater SEER rating usually involves a higher price. So, how do you know which one is right for your home?

At Pepper AC & Heat, we give you a free, no-pressure home comfort analysis. You can schedule one by contacting us at 940-202-1184. Our skilled air conditioner installers will work with you to help you pick the right air conditioner for your home. Plus, they’ll also provide you with a free, no-obligation estimate.

For the time being, let’s discuss SEER ratings and how they can influence your family’s comfort. And your electric costs.

Why Do the SEER Ratings Really Matter?

In 2016, the federal government created new SEER rules. New air conditioners are required to be at least 13 SEER in the northernmost United States and 14 SEER in the southeast and southwest. If you’re unsure when you had your air conditioner replaced or what its SEER number is, you can check the sticker on the condenser outside your residence. If you can’t find the sticker, you can give us a call at 940-202-1184 for support.

If your air conditioner was put in before that year, it’s presumably much less efficient. Cooling technology has quickly advanced in the past few years, with major advances in energy efficiency and smart home compatibility. Pairing your new air conditioner with a smart thermostat could help you spend less on utility bills, as the thermostat can intuitively adjust your temperature settings when you’re gone.

If your existing 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 costs. Your savings relate to your air conditioner size and your temperature settings.

Is a Higher SEER Rating Always Better?

An air conditioner with a better SEER rating will be more efficient at consuming electricity for cooling. The highest efficiency systems, which can go as great as 26 SEER, carry ENERGY STAR® certification. 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 normally get the difference repaid over the years through lower utility expenses. These air conditioners, which are typically rated 16 SEER and higher, need about 8% less electricity than other new systems, according to ENERGY STAR.

One of the greatest differences between a 14 SEER and 16 SEER is variable-speed capability. A variable-speed air conditioner can run at varying speeds. This fine-tunes comfort for your house while keeping your utility costs reduced. It can also keep temperatures and humidity more even, since it can work for longer without requiring a lot more power.

When adding 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 disperse chilled air across your home. Furnaces only work for approximately 20 years, so if yours is getting old, we advise getting furnace installation at the same time so you can receive all the benefits of your variable-speed air conditioner.

When you’re set to replace your air conditioner, the cooling specialists at Pepper AC & Heat are ready to help. Call us at 940-202-1184 to request your free home comfort analysis today.