Are you in the market for a new air conditioner? If so, you may be wondering what a good SEER rating is. SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, and the SEER ratio determines energy efficiency of air conditioning units and heat pumps. The higher the SEER rating, the more energy efficient the AC unit will be.
If you’re looking for an energy-efficient central air conditioner option, you’ll likely want to choose from AC units with a high SEER rating. However, keep in mind that higher SEER ratings come with a higher price tag when buying air conditioning units or a heat pump HVAC unit. So, you’ll need to weigh the cost savings against the increased cost of the AC unit. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide the best air conditioner for your home and your budget.
Choosing one from the many AC units available is a tough task for many Louisville homeowners. Jarboe’s Plumbing, Heating & Cooling is here to help you better understand what the seasonal energy efficiency rating means when you shop for air conditioning units. SEER ratings have significant impacts on your budget, both immediately and long-term. We’ll help you find the right SEER unit that fits your criteria on both ends of the spectrum.
Air conditioners are a necessary part of life in many parts of the world, but they can be a significant source of energy consumption. A SEER rating is a measure of how efficient an air conditioning system is. The SEER rating is calculated by dividing the cooling output of the air conditioner over the typical cooling season by the energy input.
The Energy Guide label attached to the exterior of each AC unit will list the unit’s SEER rating. A higher SEER rating indicates a more efficient air conditioner.
The SEER rating on your air conditioner is a bit like your car’s miles-per-gallon rating. The maximum is what’s achievable under the best possible conditions. However, you won’t always be so lucky to run your cooling system in ideal conditions, so it won’t operate at its stated SEER rating all the time. Nonetheless, the SEER rating is still a useful way to compare different air conditioners. A higher SEER rating indicates that an air conditioner is more efficient and will cost less to operate over time. So, even though the SEER rating isn’t an absolute, it’s still a good metric to use when shopping for a new air conditioner.
A SEER rating is a measure of how efficiently an air conditioner will operate over the course of a season. The higher the SEER rating, the more energy efficient the air conditioning unit will be. And that means lower energy bills for you! In fact, for every one-point increase in SEER, you can expect to see about a 4% reduction in your energy costs. So if you’re looking to save money on your energy bills, be sure to check the SEER rating when shopping for a new air conditioner.
Air conditioners with high SEER ratings typically cost more than lower SEER air conditioners. In general, the price of a new air conditioner increases as SEER ratings increase. You’ll spend more to buy a higher SEER AC unit.
The additional investment can be earned back over time through increased energy savings. A higher SEER rating means your air conditioner will use less energy to cool your home, which will save you money on your utility bills. In addition, higher SEER units tend to have longer lifespans than lower SEER units, so you may not have to replace your air conditioner as often. If you’re looking for an energy-efficient air conditioner, look for one with a high SEER rating. You may pay more upfront, but you’ll save money in the long run.
According to the new federal standards, as of 2023, air conditioning systems will need to be even more energy efficient. In northern states, the minimum SEER rating for central air conditioners and heat pumps will increase from 13 SEER to 14 SEER. And in southern states, which includes Kentucky, the minimum will increase from 14 SEER to 15 SEER.
These minimum SEER ratings are only applicable to air conditioners and heat pumps that are newly manufactured. The minimum SEER rating for your region is the absolute lowest air conditioning ratings that companies can legally sell to consumers. A reputable HVAC system installer should not attempt to sell you a new air conditioner with a SEER rating below the federal minimum.
To be considered a high-efficiency system, air conditioners must have a SEER rating over 16 SEER. The most efficient air conditioners on the market today have SEER ratings of up to 26 SEER.
When it comes to high-efficiency air conditioners, there are a few key features that set them apart from standard models. One is the compressor. High-efficiency models typically have a variable speed compressor, which means that it can run at different speeds to better match the cooling needs of your home. This helps to save energy and reduce wear and tear on the system. Another key feature is the evaporator coil. High-efficiency models often have a larger evaporator coil, which allows more heat to be absorbed from the air passing over it. This helps the system to cool your home more efficiently. Finally, high-efficiency air conditioners often have better insulation to prevent heat from escaping. This helps to keep your home cool while using less energy. These are just a few of the features that make high-efficiency air conditioners more energy-efficient.
What’s a good SEER rating? It depends on your priorities as a homeowner. Are you looking for an air conditioner with high efficiency? In that case, you’ll want a model with a SEER rating of 17 or higher. But if you’re focused on affordability, you might be perfectly happy with a SEER rating of 14 or 15. It’s all about weighing initial costs against long-term benefits. So take some time to think about what’s most important to you in an air conditioning system. Once you’ve done that, finding the right SEER rating will be a breeze.
Most homeowners find the sweet spot to be around 15 SEER to 18 SEER. In this range, many people find a happy median between initial costs and achievable energy savings over the lifetime of the air conditioner.
If you’re in the market for a new air conditioner, be sure to ask our team about SEER ratings. A higher SEER rating will result in increased energy efficiency and could save you money on your monthly utility bills.
To get an estimate for a new AC unit, call Jarboe’s Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today. We’ll work with you to find the perfect cooling solution for your home and budget.