What Is a Good SEER Rating for Air Conditioners?

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

SEER is short for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. Basically, it examines how productive your air conditioner is at converting electricity into cooled air. A greater number indicates your air conditioner is more efficient, which is great for your electrical costs.

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

At Titan Heating & Air Conditioning, we offer a free, no-pressure home comfort analysis. You can get one by contacting us at 541-286-6617. Our knowledgeable air conditioner installers will work with you to help you locate the right air conditioner for your family. Plus, they’ll also give you a free, no-obligation estimate.

For the time being, let’s go over SEER ratings and how they can influence your loved ones’ comfort. And your electric expenses.

What Does the SEER Rating Even Matter?

In 2016, the federal government made new SEER rules. 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 locate the sticker on the unit outside your residence. If you can’t locate the sticker, you can get in touch with us at 541-286-6617 for help.

If your air conditioner was replaced before that time, it’s probably much less efficient. Air conditioner technology has rapidly evolved in the past couple of years, with big developments in energy efficiency and smart home capacity. Pairing your new air conditioner with a smart thermostat could help you conserve more on utility expenses, because the thermostat can automatically 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 around 30–50% on annual electrical expenses. Your savings depend on your air conditioner size and your temp settings.

Is the Higher the SEER the Better?

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

While ENERGY STAR air conditioners are often more costly, you’ll normally get the difference back over the years through lower cooling expenses. These air conditioners, which are generally rated 16 SEER and up, use about 8% less electricity than other new systems, according to ENERGY STAR.

One of the greatest differences between a 14 SEER and 16 SEER is variable-speed technology. A variable-speed air conditioner can work at varying speeds. This improves comfort for your loved ones while keeping your electrical expenses low. It can also keep temperatures and humidity more even, since it can run 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 relies on this system’s blower to disperse chilled air throughout your residence. Furnaces only last for around 20 years, so if yours is around that mark, we recommend furnace installation at the same time so you can get all the advantages of your variable-speed air conditioner.

When you’re prepared to replace your air conditioner, the cooling specialists at Titan Heating & Air Conditioning are here to help. Give us a call at 541-286-6617 to set your free home comfort analysis now.