What Is a Good SEER Rating for AC Systems?

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

SEER is short for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. In a nutshell, it examines how productive your air conditioner is at changing electricity into cold air. A bigger number means your air conditioner is more efficient, which is good for your electrical expenses.

However, there are many varying options on the market for air conditioners. And a better SEER number often involves a bigger cost. So, how can you find out which one is best for your house?

At Air-Right Energy Design, we provide a free, no-pressure home comfort analysis. You can get one by contacting us at 703-260-1148. 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.

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

What Does the SEER Rating Even Matter?

In 2016, the federal government made new SEER rules. New air conditioners are mandated at baseline 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 check the sticker on the unit outside your residence. If you can’t locate the sticker, you can give us a call at 703-260-1148 for support.

If your air conditioner was installed in advance of that year, it’s presumably much less efficient. Cooling technology has quickly advanced in the past couple of years, with huge advancements in energy efficiency and smart home capacity. Using your new air conditioner with a smart thermostat could help you conserve more on air conditioning costs, as the thermostat can intuitively regulate your temperature settings when you’re out.

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 electricity costs. Your savings depend on your air conditioner size and your temperature settings.

Is the highest SEER Rating the Best?

An air conditioner with a greater SEER rating will be more efficient at consuming electricity for cooling. The highest efficiency models, which can go as high as 26 SEER, carry ENERGY STAR® designation. This designation signifies the air conditioner meets EPA rules for energy savings and environmental conservation.

While ENERGY STAR air conditioners are frequently more expensive, you’ll normally get the difference back over time through reduced cooling bills. These air conditioners, which are generally rated 16 SEER and up, need about 8% less energy than other new systems, 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 fine-tunes comfort for your home while keeping your electrical bills low. It can also keep temperatures and humidity more even, since it can go for longer without needing a lot more energy.

When adding a variable-speed air conditioner, you’ll need to ensure that your furnace or air handler is compatible. This is because your air conditioner depends on this system’s blower to send chilled air throughout your home. Furnaces only work for about 20 years, so if yours is getting old, we suggest getting furnace installation at the same time so you can receive all the benefits of your variable-speed air conditioner.

When you’re ready to replace your air conditioner, the cooling specialists at Air-Right Energy Design are ready to assist you. Reach us at 703-260-1148 to schedule your free home comfort analysis now.