If you’re thinking about air conditioner installation in Des Moines, you should also be considering your new air conditioner’s SEER rating.
SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. Simply put, it looks at how efficient your air conditioner is at turning electricity into cold air. A bigger number indicates your air conditioner is more efficient, which is good for your energy bill.
However, there are many varying solutions out there for air conditioners. And a greater SEER ranking usually involves a bigger price tag. So, how do you know which one is right for your house?
At Heartland Heating & Cooling, we offer a free, no-pressure home comfort analysis. You can get one by contacting us at 515-344-3579. Our knowledgeable air conditioner installers will collaborate with you to help you choose the right air conditioner for your needs. Plus, they’ll also offer you a free, no-obligation estimate.
For the time being, let’s go over SEER ratings and how it can impact your loved ones’ comfort. And your electrical expenses.
Does SEER Rating Really Matter?
In 2016, the federal government made new SEER guidelines. New air conditioners are required to 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 look at the sticker on the condenser outside your house. If you can’t see the sticker, you can give us a call at 515-344-3579 for support.
If your air conditioner was put in prior to that time, it’s presumably much less efficient. Cooling technology has rapidly advanced in the past several years, with big breakthroughs in energy efficiency and smart home compatibility. Connecting your new air conditioner with a smart thermostat could help you spend less on electric expenses, as the thermostat can intuitively adjust your temperature settings when you’re out.
If your existing air conditioner has a SEER rating between 8 and 10, getting a 14-SEER system could save you around 30–50% on annual air conditioning costs. Your savings depend on your air conditioner size and your temp settings.
Is a Higher SEER Rating Better?
An air conditioner with a higher SEER rating will be more efficient at transforming electricity for cooling. The highest efficiency ones, which can go as great as 26 SEER, have ENERGY STAR® endorsement. This endorsement shows the air conditioner matches EPA guidelines for energy savings and environmental conservation.
While ENERGY STAR air conditioners are often more expensive, you’ll usually get the difference repaid over time through cheaper power expenses. These air conditioners, which are frequently rated 16 SEER and better, use about 8% less energy 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 run at different speeds. This improves comfort for your house while keeping your cooling bills down. It can also keep temperatures and humidity more balanced, since it can operate for longer without consuming a lot more electrity.
When buying a variable-speed air conditioner, you’ll want to make sure that your furnace or air handler is compatible. This is since your air conditioner relies on this unit’s blower to disperse chilled air across your house. Furnaces only work for about 20 years, so if yours is around that mark, we advise getting furnace installation at the same time so you can enjoy all the benefits of your variable-speed air conditioner.
When you’re set to replace your air conditioner, the cooling specialists at Heartland Heating & Cooling are available to help. Reach us at 515-344-3579 to request your free home comfort analysis today.