What Is the Right SEER Rating for Air Conditioners?

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

SEER is short for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. Simply put, it examines how effective your air conditioner is at changing electricity into cooled air. A high number means your air conditioner is more efficient, which is good for your electric costs.

However, there are a lot of different options out there for air conditioners. And a better SEER rating often is accompanied by a more expensive cost. So, how can you determine which one is ideal for your residence?

At Ohler & Holzhauer Inc., we provide a free, no-pressure home comfort analysis. You can request one by contacting us at 419-465-8722. Our experienced air conditioner installers will partner with you to help you choose the right air conditioner for your needs. Plus, they’ll also offer you a free, no-obligation estimate.

For the time being, let’s go over SEER ratings and how they can impact your home’s comfort. And your utility expenses.

Why Do the SEER Ratings Really Matter?

In 2016, the federal government developed new SEER guidelines. New air conditioners are required to be at minimum 13 SEER in the northern 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 check the sticker on the system outside your home. If you can’t see the sticker, you can get in touch with us at 419-465-8722 for help.

If your air conditioner was put in before that date, it’s likely much less efficient. Air conditioner technology has rapidly evolved in the past several years, with major breakthroughs in energy efficiency and smart home capacity. Pairing your new air conditioner with a smart thermostat could help you save even more on AC expenses, as the thermostat can intuitively manage your temperature settings when you’re away.

If your current air conditioner has a SEER rating between 8 and 10, installing a 14-SEER system could save you close to 30–50% on annual electricity costs. Your savings are tied 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 best efficient ones, which can go as great as 26 SEER, have ENERGY STAR® designation. This designation means the air conditioner matches EPA requirements for energy savings and environmental conservation.

While ENERGY STAR air conditioners are frequently more costly, you’ll usually get the difference back over the years through lower utility expenses. These air conditioners, which are usually rated 16 SEER and better, need about 8% less energy than other new systems, 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 operate at different speeds. This fine-tunes comfort for your home while keeping your electric costs down. It can also keep temperatures and humidity more even, since it can operate for longer without requiring a lot more power.

When buying a variable-speed air conditioner, you’ll need to ensure that your furnace or air handler is compatible. This is because your air conditioner uses this unit’s blower to disperse chilled air across your house. Furnaces only run for about 20 years, so if yours is getting old, we advise getting furnace installation at the same time so you can get all the benefits of your variable-speed air conditioner.

When you’re prepared to replace your air conditioner, the cooling pros at Ohler & Holzhauer Inc. are ready to help. Give us a call at 419-465-8722 to request your free home comfort analysis now.