What Is an Adequate SEER Rating for Air Conditioners?

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

SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. In a nutshell, it measures how efficient your air conditioner is at turning electricity into cold air. A greater number indicates your air conditioner is more efficient, which is good for your electrical expenses.

However, there are a lot of varying models to choose from for air conditioners. And a higher SEER number often involves a bigger price. So, how can you find out which one is ideal for your residence?

At J.L. Brady Company LLC, we provide a free, no-pressure home comfort analysis. You can request one by contacting us at 309-517-7511. Our experienced air conditioner installers will work with you to help you find the right air conditioner for your budget. Plus, they’ll also provide you with a free, no-obligation estimate.

In the meantime, let’s review SEER ratings and how they can affect your home’s comfort. And your electrical bills.

Does SEER Rating Even Matter?

In 2016, the federal government created new SEER guidelines. New air conditioners must be at minimum 13 SEER in the north 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 number is, you can check the sticker on the unit outside your home. If you can’t locate the sticker, you can give us a call at 309-517-7511 for assistance.

If your air conditioner was replaced prior to that time, it’s probably much less efficient. Air conditioning technology has swiftly changed in the past couple of years, with major breakthroughs in energy efficiency and smart home compatibility. Using your new air conditioner with a smart thermostat could help you conserve more on electric expenses, because the thermostat can seamlessly adjust your temperature settings when you’re gone.

If your present air conditioner has a SEER rating between 8 and 10, adding a 14-SEER system could save you close to 30–50% on annual electricity bills. Your savings are tied to your air conditioner size and your temp settings.

Is the Higher the SEER the Better?

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

While ENERGY STAR air conditioners are often more expensive, you’ll normally get the difference back over time through smaller power bills. These air conditioners, which are frequently rated 16 SEER and up, need about 8% less power than other new models, according to ENERGY STAR.

One of the biggest differences between a 14 SEER and 16 SEER is variable-speed technology. A variable-speed air conditioner can operate at varying speeds. This improves comfort for your residence while keeping your utility expenses reduced. It can also keep temperatures and humidity more even, since it can go for longer without requiring a lot more electricity.

When getting 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 unit’s blower to distribute cold air across your residence. Furnaces only work for approximately 20 years, so if yours is around that mark, we advise getting furnace installation at the same time so you can get all the perks of your variable-speed air conditioner.

When you’re ready to replace your air conditioner, the cooling specialists at J.L. Brady Company LLC are ready to support you. Reach us at 309-517-7511 to request your free home comfort analysis today.