What Is the Right SEER Rating for Air Conditioners?

If you’re needing air conditioner installation in Spokane, you should also be considering your new air conditioner’s SEER rating.

SEER is short for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. In a nutshell, it measures how efficient your air conditioner is at converting electricity into cooled air. A bigger number indicates your air conditioner is more efficient, which is great for your electric costs.

However, there are lots of varying solutions to choose from for air conditioners. And a greater SEER rating usually is accompanied by a higher price. So, how can you find out which one is right for your home?

At Bigfoot Mechanical, we provide a free, no-pressure home comfort analysis. You can request one by contacting us at 509-392-8770. Our skilled air conditioner installers will partner with you to help you find the right air conditioner for your budget. Plus, they’ll also give you a free, no-obligation estimate.

For the time being, let’s review SEER ratings and how they can impact your family’s comfort. And your electrical bills.

What Does the SEER Rating Really Matter?

In 2016, the federal government created new SEER guidelines. 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’re not sure when you had your air conditioner put in or what its SEER ranking is, you can look at the sticker on the unit outside your residence. If you can’t see the sticker, you can give us a call at 509-392-8770 for support.

If your air conditioner was replaced in advance of that time, it’s presumably much less efficient. Cooling technology has swiftly changed in the past couple of years, with major developments in energy efficiency and smart home capability. Pairing your new air conditioner with a smart thermostat could help you save even more on electric costs, since the thermostat can automatically change your temperature settings when you’re out.

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 cooling costs. Your savings depend on your air conditioner size and your thermostat settings.

Is the Higher the SEER the Better?

An air conditioner with a higher SEER rating will be more efficient at consuming electricity for cooling. The highest efficiency models, which can go as great as 26 SEER, carry ENERGY STAR® certification. This endorsement signifies the air conditioner has achieved EPA requirements for energy savings and environmental conservation.

While ENERGY STAR air conditioners are typically pricier, you’ll normally get the difference back over the years through reduced electrical expenses. These air conditioners, which are typically rated 16 SEER and up, need about 8% less electricity than other new units, according to ENERGY STAR.

One of the largest differences between a 14 SEER and 16 SEER is variable-speed capacity. A variable-speed air conditioner can run at different speeds. This improves comfort for your house while keeping your air conditioning bills down. It can also keep temperatures and humidity more even, since it can go for longer without needing a lot more energy.

When getting a variable-speed air conditioner, you’ll want to check that your furnace or air handler is compatible. This is due to the fact your air conditioner depends on this system’s blower to distribute chilled air around your residence. Furnaces only last for around 20 years, so if yours is getting old, we advise getting furnace installation at the same time so you can receive all the perks of your variable-speed air conditioner.

When you’re prepared to replace your air conditioner, the cooling specialists at Bigfoot Mechanical are available to help. Give us a call at 509-392-8770 to schedule your free home comfort analysis now.