If you’re thinking over air conditioner installation in Tucson, you should also be considering your new air conditioner’s SEER rating.
SEER means Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. In summary, it gauges how capable your air conditioner is at transforming electricity into cold air. A greater number means your air conditioner is more efficient, which is excellent for your electric costs.
However, there are many differing solutions available for air conditioners. And a higher SEER ranking frequently involves a more expensive price tag. So, how do you know which one is best for your house?
At A&M Heating & Cooling LLC, we give you a free, no-pressure home comfort analysis. You can request one by contacting us at 520-200-1048. Our skilled air conditioner installers will work with you to help you choose the right air conditioner for your needs. Plus, they’ll also give you a free, no-obligation estimate.
For the time being, let’s review SEER ratings and how it can affect your home’s comfort. And your utility bills.
Does SEER Rating Really Matter?
In 2016, the federal government developed new SEER criteria. New air conditioners are required to be at minimum 13 SEER in the northern 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 number is, you can look at the sticker on the system outside your home. If you can’t locate the sticker, you can give us a call at 520-200-1048 for support.
If your air conditioner was put in prior to that year, it’s presumably much less efficient. Cooling technology has quickly advanced in the past couple of years, with big progress in energy efficiency and smart home capacity. Using your new air conditioner with a smart thermostat could help you spend less on cooling expenses, as the thermostat can automatically manage your temperature settings when you’re away.
If your current air conditioner has a SEER rating between 8 and 10, installing a 14-SEER system could save you close to 30–50% on annual air conditioning expenses. Your savings are contingent upon your air conditioner size and your thermostat settings.
Is the Higher the SEER the Better?
An air conditioner with a better SEER rating will be more efficient at transforming electricity for cooling. The most efficient models, which can go as great as 26 SEER, carry ENERGY STAR® certification. This designation signifies the air conditioner meets EPA guidelines for energy savings and environmental conservation.
While ENERGY STAR air conditioners are typically more expensive, you’ll normally get the difference returned throughout the years through smaller power expenses. These air conditioners, which are typically rated 16 SEER and greater, need about 8% less power than other new systems, according to ENERGY STAR.
One of the biggest differences between a 14 SEER and 16 SEER is variable-speed capacity. A variable-speed air conditioner can work at different speeds. This fine-tunes comfort for your home while keeping your cooling expenses reduced. It can also keep temperatures and humidity more balanced, since it can work for longer without consuming a lot more energy.
When getting a variable-speed air conditioner, you’ll need to ensure that your furnace or air handler is compatible. This is due to the fact your air conditioner relies on this system’s blower to disperse chilled air across your house. Furnaces only work for approximately 20 years, so if yours is around that age, we recommend furnace installation at the same time so you can get all the advantages of your variable-speed air conditioner.
When you’re ready to replace your air conditioner, the cooling specialists at A&M Heating & Cooling LLC are here to assist you. Reach us at 520-200-1048 to set your free home comfort analysis now.