What Is a Good SEER Rating for Air Conditioners?

If you’re thinking about air conditioner installation in McKinney and Frisco, you should also be investigating your new air conditioner’s SEER rating.

SEER means Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. Basically, it looks at how effective your air conditioner is at changing electricity into cooled air. A high number indicates your air conditioner is more efficient, which is excellent for your cooling costs.

However, there are a lot of varying models to choose from for air conditioners. And a greater SEER ranking often is accompanied by a higher price. So, how do you know which one is right for your house?

At Bell Mechanical Services, we provide a free, no-pressure home comfort analysis. You can schedule one by contacting us at 888-863-0560. Our skilled air conditioner installers will partner with you to help you pick the right air conditioner for your family. Plus, they’ll also provide you with a free, no-obligation estimate.

In the meantime, let’s review SEER ratings and how they can impact your home’s comfort. And your energy expenses.

What Does the SEER Rating Even Matter?

In 2016, the federal government made new SEER rules. New air conditioners are required to be at minimum 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 replaced or what its SEER number is, you can check the sticker on the condenser outside your home. If you can’t see the sticker, you can reach us at 888-863-0560 for assistance.

If your air conditioner was replaced prior to that year, it’s likely much less efficient. Air conditioner technology has swiftly advanced in the past several years, with big advancements in energy efficiency and smart home capacity. Connecting your new air conditioner with a smart thermostat could help you conserve more on AC bills, as the thermostat can seamlessly manage your temperature settings when you’re gone.

If your current air conditioner has a SEER rating between 8 and 10, installing a 14-SEER system could save you around 30–50% on annual cooling expenses. Your savings relate to your air conditioner size and your thermostat settings.

Is the highest SEER Rating the Best?

An air conditioner with a higher SEER rating will be more efficient at converting electricity for cooling. The most efficient models, which can go as high as 26 SEER, have ENERGY STAR® endorsement. This endorsement shows the air conditioner meets EPA guidelines for energy savings and environmental conservation.

While ENERGY STAR air conditioners are frequently pricier, you’ll usually get the difference returned over the years through smaller cooling costs. These air conditioners, which are generally rated 16 SEER and greater, need about 8% less power than other new systems, according to ENERGY STAR.

One of the greatest differences between a 14 SEER and 16 SEER is variable-speed capability. A variable-speed air conditioner can operate at different speeds. This improves comfort for your house while keeping your electric expenses down. 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 check that your furnace or air handler is compatible. This is due to the fact your air conditioner relies on this system’s blower to distribute chilled air across your home. Furnaces only work for about 20 years, so if yours is around that age, we suggest getting furnace installation at the same time so you can receive all the benefits of your variable-speed air conditioner.

When you’re ready to replace your air conditioner, the cooling pros at Bell Mechanical Services are ready to assist you. Call us at 888-863-0560 to book your free home comfort analysis right away.