FAQ About SEER Ratings

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If you're shopping for a new air conditioner, you're probably learning a lot of new lingo like BTUs and tonnage. Have you learned about SEER ratings, though? The SEER rating on air conditioner units can be very helpful in your decision-making process but only if you understand what you're looking at. Keep reading to get answers to your questions about SEER.

What Is SEER?

The first, obvious question is what the SEER rating is. The acronym stands for seasonal energy efficiency ratio. The rating will tell you how efficient the AC unit is. The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute defined the measurement and continue to regulate it.

To get the rating, testers measure both the amount of cooling the unit is able to put out and the total electricity it uses in that time period. They divide the cooling amount by the cost amount to determine the rating. You find the rating on the unit's label. The rating helps you compare units that otherwise seem similar.

What SEER Rating Do You Need?

SEER ratings start at 13 and top out at 25. The higher the number, the more efficiently the unit runs. The rating you need depends mostly on the climate of your locale. If you're somewhere where your hot season is long, meaning you'll have to run the air conditioner a lot, a higher SEER rating is good. If you live where there's a short hot season, you're probably fine with a lower SEER rating.

Does the SEER Rating Impact the Unit's Cost?

Many components go into the manufacture of an AC unit. Manufacturers often have to use more expensive materials to get a higher SEER rating. Likewise, companies have to conduct research to determine how to increase an air conditioner's energy efficiency relative to its cooling capacity. Therefore, yes, the higher the SEER rating, the more expensive the unit is.

According to Modernize, an AC unit with the lowest allowable SEER rating might be less than half of what it costs for a maximum efficiency unit. The cost includes both the unit and the installation.

Is the Extra Cost Worth It?

The increase in energy efficiency relates directly to how much electricity the unit needs to operate. If it can cool your home more efficiently with less electricity, you should see savings in your utility bills.

How much of savings you see depends on the size and insulation in your home. That said, if you live in a hot climate and experience high cooling bills, an AC unit with a high SEER rating could show significant utilities savings.

Use the SEER rating to help you determine which AC unit is right for your home. For more information, reach out to HVAC companies near you. 

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