What Is an Adequate SEER Rating for an Air Conditioner?

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

SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. In a nutshell, it measures how effective your air conditioner is at changing electricity into cold air. A bigger number means your air conditioner is more efficient, which is good for your energy expenses.

However, there are many varying solutions available for air conditioners. And a better SEER rating frequently includes a bigger price. So, how do you know which one is right for your house?

At Alpine Summit Heating & Cooling, we offer a free, no-pressure home comfort analysis. You can schedule one by contacting us at 208-561-1226. Our experienced air conditioner installers will collaborate with you to help you choose the right air conditioner for your budget. Plus, they’ll also offer you a free, no-obligation estimate.

Right now, let’s go over SEER ratings and how they can affect your home’s comfort. And your energy bills.

Does SEER Rating Even Matter?

In 2016, the federal government developed new SEER guidelines. New air conditioners must be at baseline 13 SEER in the northern United States and 14 SEER in the southeast and southwest. If you’re unsure when you had your air conditioner installed or what its SEER number is, you can check the sticker on the unit outside your home. If you can’t see the sticker, you can give us a call at 208-561-1226 for assistance.

If your air conditioner was put in in advance of that date, it’s presumably much less efficient. Air conditioner technology has rapidly evolved in the past few years, with major developments in energy efficiency and smart home capacity. Using your new air conditioner with a smart thermostat could help you save even more on AC costs, as the thermostat can seamlessly regulate your temperature settings when you’re gone.

If your current air conditioner has a SEER rating between 8 and 10, adding a 14-SEER system could save you close to 30–50% on annual cooling bills. Your savings relate to your air conditioner size and your thermostat settings.

Is the Higher the SEER the Better?

An air conditioner with a higher SEER rating will be more efficient at consuming electricity for cooling. The highest efficiency ones, which can go as big as 26 SEER, include ENERGY STAR® certification. This designation shows the air conditioner matches EPA rules for energy savings and environmental conservation.

While ENERGY STAR air conditioners are often more costly, you’ll usually get the difference repaid over time through smaller power expenses. These air conditioners, which are generally rated 16 SEER and higher, use 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 capacity. A variable-speed air conditioner can operate at a number of speeds. This fine-tunes comfort for your house while keeping your energy bills down. It can also keep temperatures and humidity more balanced, since it can work for longer without consuming a lot more energy.

When adding a variable-speed air conditioner, you’ll need to ensure that your furnace or air handler is compatible. This is due to the fact your air conditioner depends on this equipment’s blower to send chilled air around your house. Furnaces only run for approximately 20 years, so if yours is around that age, we suggest getting furnace installation at the same time so you can receive all the benefits of your variable-speed air conditioner.

When you’re ready to replace your air conditioner, the cooling professionals at Alpine Summit Heating & Cooling are ready to assist you. Call us at 208-561-1226 to set your free home comfort analysis today.