What Should My Air Conditioners SEER Rating Be?

August 20, 2020

If you’re thinking about air conditioner installation in Reinholds, you should also be considering your new air conditioner’s SEER rating.

SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. In summary, it looks at how effective your air conditioner is at turning electricity into cooled air. A bigger number indicates your air conditioner is more efficient, which is great for your cooling expenses.

However, there are many differing options on the market for air conditioners. And a higher SEER number usually involves a more expensive price tag. So, how can you determine which one is right for your residence?

At County Line Mechanical LLC, we give you a free, no-pressure home comfort analysis. You can request one by contacting us at 717-216-0846. Our experienced air conditioner installers will work with you to help you pick the right air conditioner for your needs. Plus, they’ll also offer you a free, no-obligation estimate.

For the time being, let’s review SEER ratings and how it can influence your family’s comfort. And your electrical bills.

Does My Air Conditioner’s SEER Rating Matter?

In 2016, the federal government made new SEER guidelines. New air conditioners are mandated at minimum 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 replaced or what its SEER ranking is, you can find the sticker on the condenser outside your house. If you can’t see the sticker, you can give us a call at 717-216-0846 for assistance.

If your air conditioner was replaced in advance of that year, it’s presumably much less efficient. Cooling technology has rapidly evolved in the past couple of years, with big advances in energy efficiency and smart home capacity. Pairing your new air conditioner with a smart thermostat could help you spend less on utility bills, since the thermostat can intuitively adjust your temperature settings when you’re gone.

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

Is It Smarter to Install a High SEER Rating?

An air conditioner with a higher SEER rating will be more efficient at consuming electricity for cooling. The highest efficiency systems, which can go as great as 26 SEER, include ENERGY STAR® certification. This endorsement means 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 back over time through cheaper electric costs. These air conditioners, which are usually rated 16 SEER and higher, use about 8% less energy than other new models, 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 cool at a number of speeds. This improves comfort for your home while keeping your cooling bills low. It can also keep temperatures and humidity more balanced, since it can work for longer without requiring a lot more electrity.

When installing a variable-speed air conditioner, you’ll want to make sure that your furnace or air handler is compatible. This is because your air conditioner uses this unit’s blower to send cool air around your residence. Furnaces only work for about 20 years, so if yours is getting old, we suggest getting furnace installation at the same time so you can get all the advantages of your variable-speed air conditioner.

When you’re prepared to replace your air conditioner, the cooling professionals at County Line Mechanical LLC are ready to support you. Give us a call at 717-216-0846 to request your free home comfort analysis now.