Shopping for a new air conditioning system or furnace can be stressful. When you’re looking to find the best HVAC system for your home, it’s understandable to focus on models with extremely high efficiency ratings.
Surely the most efficient system should deliver the most comfort and lowest energy bills, right?
It’s not quite that simple.
High efficiency isn’t the only thing you should consider when it comes to new air conditioner installation or furnace replacement. Although many people focus only on efficiency ratings, proper HVAC system sizing is just as, if not more important for your home’s comfort and your energy bills.
Proper sizing directly impacts humidity control and system longevity. The best HVAC system for your home delivers efficiency and correct sizing.
In this guide, we’ll explain what an air conditioner‘s SEER rating or SEER2 rating actually measures, why proper HVAC system sizing is so important and why trusted HVAC experts consider both when helping you select the best HVAC system for your home.
What Does a High SEER Rating Actually Mean?
A SEER rating, (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio), indicates how effectively an AC cools your home over a typical cooling season. A SEER2 rating is the updated version of SEER, using test procedures that better simulate real-world operating conditions. Nearly all new air conditioners have a SEER2 rating, simply because this rating is the updated rating system for cooling equipment.
Fuel-burning heating system efficiency is measured by something called AFUE, which is short for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. Like SEER and SEER2 ratings, higher AFUE ratings indicate a high-efficiency HVAC system that uses less electricity to heat your home than lower-rated systems under standardized laboratory testing.
That said, high ratings don’t automatically guarantee lower utility bills. Actual heating and air conditioner efficiency depends on several key factors, including the quality of the installation, the state of your ductwork, your home’s insulation, thermostat settings and, most importantly, HVAC system sizing. Even the most efficient system cannot operate at its best if it is too large or smaller than needed for the home.
Why HVAC System Size Matters More Than You Probably Think
Many assume a larger air conditioner or furnace will make their home the most comfortable or that they should simply replace their old HVAC system with a unit of the same capacity. Actually, new heating system installation or a new air conditioner should be sized based on your home’s true heating and cooling needs—not just square footage or the size of your existing equipment.
That’s why reputable companies complete an HVAC load calculation, also called a Manual J calculation, before recommending replacement equipment. A Manual J calculation analyzes many factors that impact your home’s heating and cooling requirements, including:
- Home square footage
- Room height
- Window size and orientation
- Insulation
- Air leakage
- Local climate
- Number of occupants
- Heat produced from appliances and lighting
- Air duct condition
A properly sized air conditioner runs through longer cooling cycles to cool your home evenly while pulling out excess humidity. That means steadier temperatures, better indoor comfort and improved indoor humidity management. It also helps the equipment to perform more effciently, reducing strain that can shorten its lifespan or lead to more repairs and higher repair costs.
When your heating or cooling system is correctly sized, you get improved comfort and more reliable operation.
Problems with Oversized and Undersized Systems
You may be tempted to buy the most energy efficient, largest-capacity air conditioner or heating system on the market. The truth is, that often isn’t a good investment.
heating and cooling systems that are too large or undersized can create indoor comfort challenges, increase operating costs and reduce efficiency regardless of their SEER rating.
Common Problems With Oversized HVAC Systems
An oversized air conditioner or heating system may work quickly, but that doesn’t mean it performs efficiently.
- Short cycling: An oversized HVAC system cycles repeatedly, reducing efficiency and increasing wear.
- High indoor humidity: Oversized air conditioners cool your home too quickly to remove indoor humidity from the air.
- Hot and cold spots: Some rooms feel too cool while others stay too warm.
- Increased wear and tear: Even though the system heats or cools your home fast, those frequent starts and stops can cause avoidable breakdowns due to the strain.
Issues Created by Undersized HVAC Systems
An undersized HVAC system can have the opposite problem:
- Long run times: The system operates almost continuously trying to reach the set temperature, which also causes unnecessary wear and tear.
- Difficulty maintaining the desired temperature: Your home may not feel comfortable during hot weather or feel too cool during winter.
- Increased energy consumption: Running almost constantly can increase monthly energy expenses.
- Added strain during extreme weather: HVAC systems that are too small can struggle in extreme temperatures, increasing equipment wear and the likelihood of repairs.
Balancing Efficiency and Size
When weighing the pros and cons of a high SEER vs right-sized system, don’t forget that you don’t necessarily need the top-efficiency model on the market.
More often than not, a correctly sized, mid-efficiency HVAC system will outperform an overly large premium system because it functions the way it was designed to.
Thesmartest choice is an energy-efficient HVAC system that’s properly sized for your home, your budget, your climate and your long-term goals.
When deciding how to choose a new air conditioner or furnace, consider:
- Energy savings: Higher-efficiency and right-sized systems can decrease electricity use.
- Purchase price: High-efficiency AC and heating systems often cost more initially than mid-range models but can lower long-term energy costs.
- Energy prices: Areas with higher electricity rates may see more significant long-term savings from higher-efficiency units.
- Your local climate: It’s crucial your heating or cooling system has enough capacity to handle areas with extremely cold winters or extremely hot summers.
- Time you plan to own the home: If you plan to stay in your home for many years, the long-term energy savings of a higher-efficiency unit may justify the investment.
- Rebates and tax credits: Manufacturer promotions, {utility|equipment rebates and tax credits can lower the overall cost of qualifying equipment.
Real-World Example: High Seer vs. Right System Size
What does this look like in a real world example?
Picture two neighboring homes.
In one, the homeowner chooses a premium high-efficiency HVAC system has far more capacity than the home needs because the contractor replaced it with the same size system as the previous unit. At the neighboring home, an HVAC professional installs a right-sized, mid-SEER or AFUE system after completing a Manual J calculation.
Although the second system has a lesser efficiency rating on paper, it may deliver lower operating costs, better home comfort, more effective humidity control and last longer because it’s properly matched to the home’s needs.
Choose the HVAC Professional Who Designs Solutions Tailored to Your Home
An HVAC replacement should involve much more than selecting the unit with the highest efficiency rating. An ideal system is one that meets your home’s heating and cooling requirements.
At Donald P. Dick Air Conditioning, our skilled HVAC experts perform an HVAC load calculation. Our team will evaluate your home’s design, your household’s heating and cooling preferences and recommend equipment that’s properly matched for your home—not simply the biggest, most expensive unit or the one with the highest AFUE or SEER2 rating.
Our team will let you know about any available rebates and tax incentives and provide information about HVAC financing options that make energy-efficient HVAC systems more accessible for all budgets.
Schedule an HVAC consultation online with Donald P. Dick Air Conditioning now. Our team will evaluate your home, answer any questions and help you choose the properly sized efficient system that keeps your family comfortable for years to come.
Whether you require installation, repair, or maintenance, our technicians will assist you with top-quality service at any time of the day or night. Take comfort in knowing your indoor air quality is the best it can be with MOE heating & cooling services Ontario's solution for heating, air conditioning, and ventilation that’s cooler than the rest.
Contact us to schedule a visit. Our qualified team of technicians, are always ready to help you and guide you for heating and cooling issues. Weather you want to replace an old furnace or install a brand new air conditioner, we are here to help you. Our main office is at Kitchener but we can service most of Ontario's cities
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