What Is the Right SEER Rating for an Air Conditioner?

If you’re needing air conditioner installation in Boynton Beach, you should also be looking at your new air conditioner’s SEER rating.

SEER means Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. In summary, it measures how capable your air conditioner is at transforming electricity into chilled air. A greater number means your air conditioner is more efficient, which is great for your energy expenses.

However, there are a lot of different solutions out there for air conditioners. And a greater SEER ranking frequently involves a more expensive cost. So, how do you know which one is best for your house?

At A2Z Air Inc, we give you a free, no-pressure home comfort analysis. You can book one by contacting us at 561-270-6228. Our skilled air conditioner installers will partner with you to help you pick the right air conditioner for your budget. Plus, they’ll also provide you with a free, no-obligation estimate.

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

Does SEER Rating 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’re not sure when you had your air conditioner put in or what its SEER ranking is, you can find the sticker on the unit outside your home. If you can’t see the sticker, you can get in touch with us at 561-270-6228 for assistance.

If your air conditioner was installed prior to that date, it’s likely much less efficient. Air conditioner technology has rapidly evolved in the past couple of years, with major breakthroughs in energy efficiency and smart home capacity. Using your new air conditioner with a smart thermostat could help you spend less on AC costs, because the thermostat can seamlessly adjust your temperature settings when you’re out.

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

Is the highest SEER Rating the Best?

An air conditioner with a greater SEER rating will be more efficient at converting electricity for cooling. The most efficient systems, which can go as big as 26 SEER, include ENERGY STAR® endorsement. This designation means the air conditioner has achieved EPA guidelines for energy savings and environmental conservation.

While ENERGY STAR air conditioners are often more costly, you’ll normally get the difference back throughout the years through cheaper electrical expenses. These air conditioners, which are generally rated 16 SEER and higher, 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 technology. A variable-speed air conditioner can cool at varying speeds. This fine-tunes comfort for your residence while keeping your air conditioning expenses low. It can also keep temperatures and humidity more even, since it can operate for longer without consuming a lot more power.

When adding a variable-speed air conditioner, you’ll want to make sure that your furnace or air handler is compatible. This is due to the fact your air conditioner uses this equipment’s blower to distribute cold air across your residence. 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 A2Z Air Inc are here to support you. Give us a call at 561-270-6228 to schedule your free home comfort analysis today.