What Is the Right SEER Rating for Air Conditioners?

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

SEER is short for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. Basically, it looks at how productive your air conditioner is at turning electricity into cooled air. A greater number signifies your air conditioner is more efficient, which is great for your electrical bills.

However, there are a lot of differing solutions on the market for air conditioners. And a greater SEER number typically involves a bigger cost. So, how can you determine which one is right for your residence?

At James Heating & A/C, Inc, we offer a free, no-pressure home comfort analysis. You can book one by contacting us at 336-853-6070. Our knowledgeable air conditioner installers will work with you to help you pick the right air conditioner for your budget. Plus, they’ll also give you a free, no-obligation estimate.

Right now, let’s review SEER ratings and how they can influence your family’s comfort. And your energy bills.

Why Do the SEER Ratings Even Matter?

In 2016, the federal government created new SEER guidelines. New air conditioners must be at baseline 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 look at the sticker on the system outside your house. If you can’t find the sticker, you can reach us at 336-853-6070 for support.

If your air conditioner was put in before that date, it’s presumably much less efficient. Air conditioner technology has quickly advanced in the past few 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 seamlessly regulate your temperature settings when you’re out.

If your current air conditioner has a SEER rating between 8 and 10, getting a 14-SEER system could save you close to 30–50% on annual air conditioning 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 higher SEER rating will be more efficient at converting electricity for cooling. The most efficient models, which can go as great as 26 SEER, have ENERGY STAR® certification. This endorsement shows the air conditioner matches EPA rules for energy savings and environmental conservation.

While ENERGY STAR air conditioners are often pricier, you’ll normally get the difference returned over the years through lower utility bills. These air conditioners, which are usually rated 16 SEER and higher, consume about 8% less energy than other new models, according to ENERGY STAR.

One of the biggest differences between a 14 SEER and 16 SEER is variable-speed capability. A variable-speed air conditioner can operate at different speeds. This fine-tunes comfort for your loved ones while keeping your electrical costs reduced. It can also keep temperatures and humidity more consistent, since it can work for longer without consuming a lot more power.

When buying a variable-speed air conditioner, you’ll want to ensure that your furnace or air handler is compatible. This is since your air conditioner uses this system’s blower to disperse cold air throughout your residence. Furnaces only work for approximately 20 years, so if yours is around that mark, we advise getting furnace installation at the same time so you can enjoy all the advantages of your variable-speed air conditioner.

When you’re ready to replace your air conditioner, the cooling specialists at James Heating & A/C, Inc are ready to assist you. Give us a call at 336-853-6070 to set your free home comfort analysis today.