What Is a Good SEER Rating for Air Conditioners?

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

SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. In a nutshell, it looks at how effective your air conditioner is at converting electricity into cold air. A greater number indicates your air conditioner is more efficient, which is great for your electrical bills.

However, there are lots of varying models on the market for air conditioners. And a higher SEER rating usually involves a more expensive price tag. So, how can you determine which one is best for your house?

At Temperature Doctors Heating & Cooling, we give you a free, no-pressure home comfort analysis. You can request one by contacting us at (815) 914-6197. Our experienced air conditioner installers will collaborate with you to help you find 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 impact your family’s comfort. And your electrical expenses.

Why Do the SEER Ratings Even 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 unsure when you had your air conditioner replaced or what its SEER ranking is, you can check the sticker on the condenser outside your residence. If you can’t find the sticker, you can get in touch with us at (815) 914-6197 for support.

If your air conditioner was put in in advance of that year, it’s presumably much less efficient. Air conditioner technology has swiftly changed in the past couple of years, with major progress in energy efficiency and smart home capability. Connecting your new air conditioner with a smart thermostat could help you spend less on electric bills, as the thermostat can intuitively manage your temperature settings when you’re out.

If your current air conditioner has a SEER rating between 8 and 10, installing a 14-SEER system could save you close to 30–50% on annual air conditioning costs. Your savings are tied 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 systems, which can go as high as 26 SEER, have ENERGY STAR® endorsement. This endorsement shows the air conditioner meets 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 air conditioning expenses. These air conditioners, which are typically rated 16 SEER and higher, consume about 8% less power 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 work at a number of speeds. This refines comfort for your home while keeping your utility bills low. It can also keep temperatures and humidity more balanced, since it can run for longer without needing a lot more power.

When installing a variable-speed air conditioner, you’ll have to check that your furnace or air handler is compatible. This is because your air conditioner relies on this system’s blower to disperse cool air across your home. Furnaces only run for approximately 20 years, so if yours is around that age, we advise getting furnace installation at the same time so you can get all the advantages of your variable-speed air conditioner.

When you’re ready to replace your air conditioner, the cooling specialists at Temperature Doctors Heating & Cooling are here to support you. Reach us at (815) 914-6197 to request your free home comfort analysis now.