What Is a Good SEER Rating for an Air Conditioner?

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

SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. In summary, it gauges how productive your air conditioner is at transforming electricity into chilled air. A bigger number signifies your air conditioner is more efficient, which is good for your cooling expenses.

However, there are a lot of different models available for air conditioners. And a better SEER rating frequently involves a higher price tag. So, how can you determine which one is right for your residence?

At The Frazier Company, we give you a free, no-pressure home comfort analysis. You can schedule one by contacting us at 402-628-0206. Our knowledgeable air conditioner installers will partner with you to help you locate the right air conditioner for your home. Plus, they’ll also give you a free, no-obligation estimate.

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

What Does the SEER Rating Really Matter?

In 2016, the federal government made new SEER guidelines. New air conditioners are mandated at least 13 SEER in the northernmost United States and 14 SEER in the southeast and southwest. If you don’t know when you had your air conditioner installed or what its SEER ranking is, you can look at the sticker on the unit outside your house. If you can’t see the sticker, you can get in touch with us at 402-628-0206 for assistance.

If your air conditioner was installed in advance of that time, it’s likely much less efficient. Air conditioning technology has swiftly changed in the past couple of years, with huge advances in energy efficiency and smart home compatibility. Connecting your new air conditioner with a smart thermostat could help you spend less on electric bills, because the thermostat can automatically manage 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 utility bills. Your savings are contingent upon your air conditioner size and your temp settings.

Is a Higher SEER Rating Always Better?

An air conditioner with a greater SEER rating will be more efficient at converting electricity for cooling. The highest efficiency models, which can go as big as 26 SEER, include ENERGY STAR® endorsement. This designation means the air conditioner has achieved EPA guidelines for energy savings and environmental conservation.

While ENERGY STAR air conditioners are typically more costly, you’ll generally get the difference returned throughout the years through smaller power costs. These air conditioners, which are usually rated 16 SEER and higher, use about 8% less power than other new systems, 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 cool at varying speeds. This fine-tunes comfort for your house while keeping your electrical expenses reduced. It can also keep temperatures and humidity more consistent, since it can work for longer without needing a lot more electricity.

When installing a variable-speed air conditioner, you’ll want to make sure that your furnace or air handler is compatible. This is because your air conditioner relies on this system’s blower to send chilled air throughout your residence. Furnaces only run for approximately 20 years, so if yours is around that mark, we suggest getting furnace installation at the same time so you can get all the advantages of your variable-speed air conditioner.

When you’re set to replace your air conditioner, the cooling professionals at The Frazier Company are available to assist you. Reach us at 402-628-0206 to book your free home comfort analysis right away.