What Is the Right SEER Rating for Air Conditioners?

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

SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. In summary, it examines how productive your air conditioner is at converting electricity into cold air. A greater number means your air conditioner is more efficient, which is excellent for your electrical bills.

However, there are a lot of differing options to choose from for air conditioners. And a higher SEER ranking frequently involves a higher price. So, how can you determine which one is best for your residence?

At Freed Heating & Air Conditioning, we give you a free, no-pressure home comfort analysis. You can get one by contacting us at 309-323-9584. Our experienced air conditioner installers will partner with you to help you choose the right air conditioner for your family. Plus, they’ll also give you a free, no-obligation estimate.

Right now, let’s go over SEER ratings and how they can impact your loved ones’ comfort. And your energy costs.

What Does the SEER Rating Even Matter?

In 2016, the federal government made new SEER criteria. New air conditioners must be at minimum 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 ranking is, you can locate the sticker on the system outside your home. If you can’t find the sticker, you can reach us at 309-323-9584 for assistance.

If your air conditioner was installed before that date, it’s presumably much less efficient. Air conditioning technology has swiftly evolved in the past couple of years, with major advancements in energy efficiency and smart home capability. Using your new air conditioner with a smart thermostat could help you conserve more on electric costs, as the thermostat can seamlessly adjust your temperature settings when you’re gone.

If your present air conditioner has a SEER rating between 8 and 10, getting a 14-SEER system could save you close to 30–50% on annual electricity costs. Your savings are contingent upon your air conditioner size and your thermostat settings.

Is a Higher SEER Rating Always Better?

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

While ENERGY STAR air conditioners are frequently more expensive, you’ll normally get the difference returned over the years through cheaper power expenses. These air conditioners, which are typically rated 16 SEER and up, consume about 8% less power than other new units, according to ENERGY STAR.

One of the biggest differences between a 14 SEER and 16 SEER is variable-speed capacity. A variable-speed air conditioner can cool at a number of speeds. This fine-tunes comfort for your home while keeping your utility expenses low. It can also keep temperatures and humidity more even, since it can work for longer without consuming a lot more power.

When getting a variable-speed air conditioner, you’ll want to ensure that your furnace or air handler is compatible. This is since your air conditioner relies on this system’s blower to disperse chilled air around your house. Furnaces only last for about 20 years, so if yours is getting old, we recommend 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 professionals at Freed Heating & Air Conditioning are available to help. Give us a call at 309-323-9584 to schedule your free home comfort analysis now.