What Is a Good SEER Rating for Air Conditioners?

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

SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. In short, it examines how effective your air conditioner is at turning electricity into chilled air. A bigger number signifies your air conditioner is more efficient, which is great for your energy costs.

However, there are lots of varying options available for air conditioners. And a greater SEER rating often includes a bigger cost. So, how can you find out which one is ideal for your residence?

At AW Heating & Air Conditioning, we provide a free, no-pressure home comfort analysis. You can get one by contacting us at 402-438-7992. Our skilled air conditioner installers will collaborate with you to help you locate 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 go over SEER ratings and how they can impact your family’s comfort. And your utility costs.

Why Do the SEER Ratings Really Matter?

In 2016, the federal government developed new SEER criteria. New air conditioners must be at least 13 SEER in the north United States and 14 SEER in the southeast and southwest. If you don’t know when you had your air conditioner put in or what its SEER ranking is, you can look at the sticker on the unit outside your residence. If you can’t locate the sticker, you can give us a call at 402-438-7992 for assistance.

If your air conditioner was replaced before that year, it’s presumably much less efficient. Cooling technology has quickly changed in the past few years, with major advances in energy efficiency and smart home compatibility. Connecting your new air conditioner with a smart thermostat could help you save even more on AC bills, since the thermostat can intuitively change 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 close to 30–50% on annual cooling costs. Your savings depend on your air conditioner size and your temperature settings.

Is the highest SEER Rating the Best?

An air conditioner with a higher SEER rating will be more efficient at transforming electricity for cooling. The best efficient ones, which can go as great as 26 SEER, have ENERGY STAR® endorsement. This designation signifies the air conditioner meets EPA rules for energy savings and environmental conservation.

While ENERGY STAR air conditioners are often more expensive, you’ll normally get the difference returned over the years through cheaper air conditioning costs. These air conditioners, which are generally rated 16 SEER and up, need about 8% less electricity than other new systems, according to ENERGY STAR.

One of the largest differences between a 14 SEER and 16 SEER is variable-speed capability. A variable-speed air conditioner can operate at different speeds. This improves comfort for your family while keeping your electrical costs low. It can also keep temperatures and humidity more consistent, since it can run for longer without requiring a lot more electricity.

When getting a variable-speed air conditioner, you’ll have to check that your furnace or air handler is compatible. This is since your air conditioner uses this equipment’s blower to send chilled air throughout your residence. Furnaces only last for approximately 20 years, so if yours is around that mark, we advise getting furnace installation at the same time so you can get all the benefits of your variable-speed air conditioner.

When you’re ready to replace your air conditioner, the cooling pros at AW Heating & Air Conditioning are available to support you. Reach us at 402-438-7992 to book your free home comfort analysis right away.