What Is an Adequate SEER Rating for an Air Conditioner?

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

SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. Simply put, it measures how capable your air conditioner is at turning electricity into chilled air. A bigger number indicates your air conditioner is more efficient, which is good for your energy expenses.

However, there are lots of varying options to choose from for air conditioners. And a greater SEER ranking usually is accompanied by a more expensive cost. So, how can you determine which one is ideal for your home?

At Kapaun & Brown, we provide a free, no-pressure home comfort analysis. You can schedule one by contacting us at 641-812-2028. Our experienced air conditioner installers will partner with you to help you locate the right air conditioner for your needs. Plus, they’ll also give you a free, no-obligation estimate.

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

Does SEER Rating Even Matter?

In 2016, the federal government developed new SEER rules. New air conditioners are mandated at least 13 SEER in the northern 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 rating is, you can look at the sticker on the condenser outside your residence. If you can’t see the sticker, you can give us a call at 641-812-2028 for assistance.

If your air conditioner was installed prior to that date, it’s probably much less efficient. Air conditioner technology has rapidly changed in the past couple of years, with huge advancements in energy efficiency and smart home capacity. Connecting your new air conditioner with a smart thermostat could help you save even more on cooling costs, since the thermostat can automatically regulate your temperature settings when you’re away.

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 air conditioning expenses. Your savings relate to your air conditioner size and your temperature settings.

Is a Higher SEER Rating Always Better?

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

While ENERGY STAR air conditioners are frequently pricier, you’ll usually get the difference repaid throughout the years through smaller air conditioning costs. These air conditioners, which are frequently rated 16 SEER and better, use 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 run at a number of speeds. This fine-tunes comfort for your loved ones while keeping your energy costs reduced. It can also keep temperatures and humidity more even, since it can run for longer without consuming a lot more power.

When adding a variable-speed air conditioner, you’ll need to make sure that your furnace or air handler is compatible. This is because your air conditioner depends on this unit’s blower to send chilled air throughout your residence. Furnaces only work for around 20 years, so if yours is getting old, we recommend furnace installation at the same time so you can enjoy all the perks of your variable-speed air conditioner.

When you’re prepared to replace your air conditioner, the cooling pros at Kapaun & Brown are ready to assist you. Give us a call at 641-812-2028 to set your free home comfort analysis now.