What Is an Adequate SEER Rating for Air Conditioners?

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

SEER is short for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. Basically, it measures how efficient your air conditioner is at changing electricity into cooled air. A greater number signifies your air conditioner is more efficient, which is excellent for your cooling bills.

However, there are a lot of different models to choose from for air conditioners. And a greater SEER ranking often is accompanied by a higher cost. So, how can you determine which one is ideal for your house?

At GV Heating & Air, we give you a free, no-pressure home comfort analysis. You can request one by contacting us at 763-535-2000. Our knowledgeable air conditioner installers will collaborate with you to help you choose the right air conditioner for your home. Plus, they’ll also offer you a free, no-obligation estimate.

For the time being, let’s review SEER ratings and how they can influence your home’s comfort. And your electric expenses.

Does SEER Rating Really Matter?

In 2016, the federal government created new SEER guidelines. New air conditioners are required to be at baseline 13 SEER in the northern 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 rating is, you can find the sticker on the condenser outside your residence. If you can’t find the sticker, you can give us a call at 763-535-2000 for support.

If your air conditioner was installed prior to that time, it’s presumably much less efficient. Cooling technology has swiftly evolved in the past couple of years, with major advancements in energy efficiency and smart home capacity. Connecting your new air conditioner with a smart thermostat could help you save even more on electric bills, because 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, adding a 14-SEER system could save you around 30–50% on annual electrical expenses. Your savings relate to your air conditioner size and your thermostat settings.

Is the highest SEER Rating the Best?

An air conditioner with a better SEER rating will be more efficient at transforming electricity for cooling. The best efficient ones, which can go as high as 26 SEER, include ENERGY STAR® certification. This designation shows the air conditioner meets EPA requirements for energy savings and environmental conservation.

While ENERGY STAR air conditioners are typically pricier, you’ll generally get the difference back throughout the years through cheaper electric bills. These air conditioners, which are generally rated 16 SEER and higher, need about 8% less energy than other new units, 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 operate at varying speeds. This fine-tunes comfort for your residence while keeping your power costs down. It can also keep temperatures and humidity more consistent, since it can go for longer without needing a lot more electricity.

When getting a variable-speed air conditioner, you’ll have to ensure that your furnace or air handler is compatible. This is because your air conditioner depends on this system’s blower to send chilled air around your residence. Furnaces only run for about 20 years, so if yours is getting old, we advise getting furnace installation at the same time so you can receive all the advantages of your variable-speed air conditioner.

When you’re set to replace your air conditioner, the cooling professionals at GV Heating & Air are here to support you. Reach us at 763-535-2000 to book your free home comfort analysis right away.