What Is a Good SEER Rating for an Air Conditioner?

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

SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. In short, it measures how productive your air conditioner is at transforming electricity into cooled air. A greater number means your air conditioner is more efficient, which is good for your electric bills.

However, there are a lot of different models available for air conditioners. And a greater SEER rating typically involves a higher cost. So, how can you determine which one is right for your residence?

At Fire & Ice HVAC, we offer a free, no-pressure home comfort analysis. You can schedule one by contacting us at 703-595-4157. Our knowledgeable air conditioner installers will partner with you to help you choose the right air conditioner for your budget. Plus, they’ll also offer you a free, no-obligation estimate.

In the meantime, let’s discuss SEER ratings and how they can impact your family’s comfort. And your electric expenses.

Does SEER Rating Really Matter?

In 2016, the federal government created new SEER guidelines. New air conditioners are required to 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 condenser outside your home. If you can’t see the sticker, you can get in touch with us at 703-595-4157 for help.

If your air conditioner was replaced prior to that time, it’s probably much less efficient. Air conditioning technology has rapidly changed in the past few years, with huge developments in energy efficiency and smart home capacity. Connecting your new air conditioner with a smart thermostat could help you spend less on AC expenses, since the thermostat can automatically change your temperature settings when you’re away.

If your current air conditioner has a SEER rating between 8 and 10, getting a 14-SEER system could save you an estimated 30–50% on annual air conditioning bills. Your savings relate to your air conditioner size and your temperature settings.

Is a Higher SEER Rating Always Better?

An air conditioner with a better 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® endorsement. This endorsement shows the air conditioner matches EPA requirements for energy savings and environmental conservation.

While ENERGY STAR air conditioners are typically more expensive, you’ll generally get the difference returned throughout the years through smaller air conditioning costs. These air conditioners, which are usually rated 16 SEER and up, use 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 capability. A variable-speed air conditioner can work at varying speeds. This fine-tunes comfort for your house while keeping your electric bills reduced. It can also keep temperatures and humidity more consistent, since it can go for longer without requiring a lot more power.

When adding a variable-speed air conditioner, you’ll have to make sure that your furnace or air handler is compatible. This is because your air conditioner relies on this system’s blower to disperse cool air around your home. Furnaces only work for approximately 20 years, so if yours is around that age, we advise getting furnace installation at the same time so you can receive all the perks of your variable-speed air conditioner.

When you’re prepared to replace your air conditioner, the cooling professionals at Fire & Ice HVAC are available to assist you. Reach us at 703-595-4157 to request your free home comfort analysis right away.