If you’re thinking about air conditioner installation in Dresden, you should also be looking at your new air conditioner’s SEER rating.
SEER means Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. Simply put, it looks at how capable your air conditioner is at turning electricity into cold air. A bigger number indicates your air conditioner is more efficient, which is excellent for your energy bill.
However, there are a lot of differing solutions on the market for air conditioners. And a greater SEER rating typically involves a bigger cost. So, how can you find out which one is best for your house?
At McFadden Heating & Cooling, we give you a free, no-pressure home comfort analysis. You can request one by contacting us at 1-866-781-0111. Our knowledgeable air conditioner installers will collaborate with you to help you locate 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 it can influence your home’s comfort. And your utility costs.
Does My Air Conditioner’s SEER Rating Matter?
In 2016, the federal government developed new SEER guidelines. New air conditioners must be at minimum 13 SEER in the northernmost United States and 14 SEER in the southeast and southwest. If you’re not sure when you had your air conditioner put in or what its SEER ranking is, you can locate the sticker on the unit outside your home. If you can’t find the sticker, you can reach us at 1-866-781-0111 for support.
If your air conditioner was installed prior to that year, it’s probably much less efficient. Air conditioning technology has swiftly advanced in the past several years, with huge breakthroughs in energy efficiency and smart home compatibility. Using your new air conditioner with a smart thermostat could help you conserve more on air conditioning bills, as the thermostat can seamlessly change your temperature settings when you’re away.
If your current air conditioner has a SEER rating between 8 and 10, getting a 14-SEER system could save you close to 30–50% on annual utility costs. Your savings relate to your air conditioner size and your temp settings.
Is a Higher SEER Rating Optimal?
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 big as 26 SEER, include ENERGY STAR® endorsement. This certification signifies the air conditioner matches EPA requirements for energy savings and environmental conservation.
While ENERGY STAR air conditioners are frequently more expensive, you’ll normally get the difference returned over the years through reduced cooling costs. These air conditioners, which are frequently rated 16 SEER and better, use about 8% less power than other new units, according to ENERGY STAR.
One of the biggest differences between a 14 SEER and 16 SEER is variable-speed capability. A variable-speed air conditioner can cool at varying speeds. This fine-tunes comfort for your house while keeping your cooling bills down. It can also keep temperatures and humidity more balanced, since it can work for longer without needing a lot more energy.
When getting a variable-speed air conditioner, you’ll need to make sure that your furnace or air handler is compatible. This is since your air conditioner depends on this system’s blower to distribute chilled air around your home. Furnaces only last for approximately 20 years, so if yours is getting old, we recommend furnace installation at the same time so you can receive all the perks of your variable-speed air conditioner.
When you’re prepared to replace your air conditioner, the cooling specialists at McFadden Heating & Cooling are here to help. Give us a call at 1-866-781-0111 to book your free home comfort analysis right away.