What Is an Acceptable SEER Rating for Air Conditioners?

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

SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. In summary, it gauges how productive your air conditioner is at converting electricity into cooled air. A bigger number indicates your air conditioner is more efficient, which is good for your electric costs.

However, there are a lot of differing options out there for air conditioners. And a better SEER rating often includes a bigger price. So, how can you find out which one is ideal for your house?

At B&D Air Conditioning, we provide a free, no-pressure home comfort analysis. You can book one by contacting us at 928-432-6018. Our skilled air conditioner installers will collaborate with you to help you locate the right air conditioner for your budget. Plus, they’ll also provide you with a free, no-obligation estimate.

Right now, let’s discuss SEER ratings and how they can affect your loved ones’ comfort. And your electric costs.

What Does the SEER Rating Really Matter?

In 2016, the federal government created new SEER rules. New air conditioners must be at minimum 13 SEER in the northernmost United States and 14 SEER in the southeast and southwest. If you’re unsure when you had your air conditioner put in or what its SEER number is, you can find the sticker on the condenser outside your house. If you can’t find the sticker, you can get in touch with us at 928-432-6018 for assistance.

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

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 electrical bills. Your savings relate to your air conditioner size and your temperature settings.

Is the Higher the SEER the Better?

An air conditioner with a better SEER rating will be more efficient at using electricity for cooling. The most efficient ones, which can go as great as 26 SEER, have ENERGY STAR® designation. This designation shows the air conditioner matches EPA rules for energy savings and environmental conservation.

While ENERGY STAR air conditioners are typically more expensive, you’ll normally get the difference returned over time through smaller electric expenses. These air conditioners, which are usually rated 16 SEER and better, use about 8% less energy than other new models, according to ENERGY STAR.

One of the largest differences between a 14 SEER and 16 SEER is variable-speed capacity. A variable-speed air conditioner can operate at different speeds. This fine-tunes comfort for your residence while keeping your cooling expenses low. It can also keep temperatures and humidity more balanced, since it can run for longer without consuming a lot more energy.

When adding a variable-speed air conditioner, you’ll have to ensure that your furnace or air handler is compatible. This is since your air conditioner relies on this unit’s blower to distribute cool air throughout your house. Furnaces only work for approximately 20 years, so if yours is around that mark, we recommend furnace installation at the same time so you can get all the benefits of your variable-speed air conditioner.

When you’re set to replace your air conditioner, the cooling professionals at B&D Air Conditioning are ready to support you. Call us at 928-432-6018 to set your free home comfort analysis now.