If you’re thinking about air conditioner installation in Ballwin and St. Charles, you should also be looking at your new air conditioner’s SEER rating.
SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. Simply put, it looks at how productive your air conditioner is at transforming electricity into chilled air. A greater number signifies your air conditioner is more efficient, which is good for your energy expenses.
However, there are many differing solutions available for air conditioners. And a better SEER rating frequently includes a bigger cost. So, how can you determine which one is right for your home?
At Air Alliance Team, we give you a free, no-pressure home comfort analysis. You can get one by contacting us at 636-206-4250. Our skilled air conditioner installers will work with you to help you locate the right air conditioner for your home. Plus, they’ll also give you a free, no-obligation estimate.
For the time being, let’s discuss SEER ratings and how it can impact your home’s comfort. And your utility expenses.
Does My Air Conditioner’s SEER Rating Matter?
In 2016, the federal government made new SEER criteria. New air conditioners are required to 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 replaced or what its SEER ranking is, you can check the sticker on the system outside your house. If you can’t find the sticker, you can get in touch with us at 636-206-4250 for help.
If your air conditioner was replaced prior to that time, it’s likely much less efficient. Air conditioning technology has swiftly changed in the past couple of years, with big developments in energy efficiency and smart home compatibility. Using your new air conditioner with a smart thermostat could help you save even more on air conditioning bills, because the thermostat can intuitively change 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 cooling costs. Your savings depend on your air conditioner size and your temperature settings.
Is It Wiser to Buy a High SEER Rating?
An air conditioner with a higher SEER rating will be more efficient at using electricity for cooling. The highest efficiency ones, which can go as big as 26 SEER, have ENERGY STAR® endorsement. This endorsement signifies the air conditioner has achieved EPA rules for energy savings and environmental conservation.
While ENERGY STAR air conditioners are typically more costly, you’ll usually get the difference back over the years through cheaper electric costs. These air conditioners, which are typically rated 16 SEER and greater, need about 8% less energy than other new units, according to ENERGY STAR.
One of the largest differences between a 14 SEER and 16 SEER is variable-speed capability. A variable-speed air conditioner can operate at varying speeds. This fine-tunes comfort for your residence while keeping your utility costs reduced. It can also keep temperatures and humidity more even, since it can go for longer without consuming a lot more energy.
When getting a variable-speed air conditioner, you’ll want to make sure that your furnace or air handler is compatible. This is due to the fact your air conditioner depends on this equipment’s blower to disperse chilled air across your house. Furnaces only work for around 20 years, so if yours is around that mark, we suggest getting furnace installation at the same time so you can receive all the perks of your variable-speed air conditioner.
When you’re set to replace your air conditioner, the cooling pros at Air Alliance Team are available to help. Reach us at 636-206-4250 to book your free home comfort analysis right away.