What Is an Acceptable SEER Rating for an Air Conditioner?

If you’re needing air conditioner installation in Frederick, you should also be looking at your new air conditioner’s SEER rating.

SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. Simply put, it looks at how productive your air conditioner is at transforming electricity into cooled air. A greater number signifies your air conditioner is more efficient, which is good for your electrical expenses.

However, there are a lot of differing options to choose from for air conditioners. And a higher SEER number frequently includes a higher price tag. So, how can you find out which one is best for your residence?

At May's Heating & Air, we offer a free, no-pressure home comfort analysis. You can request one by contacting us at 301-690-0397. Our skilled air conditioner installers will work 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 influence your home’s comfort. And your electrical bills.

What Does the SEER Rating Even Matter?

In 2016, the federal government developed new SEER guidelines. New air conditioners are required to be 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 rating is, you can find the sticker on the condenser outside your residence. If you can’t see the sticker, you can get in touch with us at 301-690-0397 for assistance.

If your air conditioner was installed before that year, it’s presumably much less efficient. Air conditioning technology has rapidly changed in the past few years, with big developments in energy efficiency and smart home capability. Pairing your new air conditioner with a smart thermostat could help you spend less on AC costs, since the thermostat can seamlessly regulate your temperature settings when you’re gone.

If your existing 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 are contingent upon your air conditioner size and your temp settings.

Is the highest SEER Rating the Best?

An air conditioner with a higher SEER rating will be more efficient at using electricity for cooling. The highest efficiency systems, which can go as high as 26 SEER, include ENERGY STAR® endorsement. This designation shows the air conditioner matches EPA guidelines for energy savings and environmental conservation.

While ENERGY STAR air conditioners are often more costly, you’ll usually get the difference returned over the years through cheaper utility expenses. These air conditioners, which are typically rated 16 SEER and higher, need about 8% less electricity than other new models, 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 varying speeds. This refines comfort for your family while keeping your utility expenses reduced. It can also keep temperatures and humidity more balanced, since it can operate for longer without requiring a lot more electricity.

When buying a variable-speed air conditioner, you’ll have to make sure that your furnace or air handler is compatible. This is because your air conditioner uses this unit’s blower to disperse chilled air around your residence. Furnaces only run for about 20 years, so if yours is getting old, we advise getting furnace installation at the same time so you can get all the benefits of your variable-speed air conditioner.

When you’re ready to replace your air conditioner, the cooling pros at May's Heating & Air are available to support you. Give us a call at 301-690-0397 to schedule your free home comfort analysis right away.