What is a SEER Rating?

After many years of hard work, sometimes it’s your air conditioner’s time to go. If you’re in the market for a new air conditioner, it’s very important to do some research beforehand. Central air conditioners can be expensive, so you’ll want to make sure you get the best one for you and your home. Max Air is here to help you with your journey of finding a new HVAC system. It’s important to not just rely on SEER rating and to consult with a professional.

You may have heard of a SEER rating on your search for a new AC. This is very important to consider when shopping, but you might not know what a SEER rating is or why it matters so much.

What is a SEER rating?

The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) relates to the amount of energy and money, an AC unit will use over the course of a year. The United States Department of Energy (DOE) requires all new air conditioning units to meet or exceed a certain SEER number to determine the efficiency ratings. The SEER rating allows customers to compare systems efficiency to another. The higher the number, the more efficient the unit is.

The current minimum required SEER number in the United States is 13 and 14 in southern states for air conditioners. But, according to the Department of Energy, the minimum required SEER rating will be increased to 14 and 15 in the south in 2023. Recently, most AC units have been exceeding the minimum requirement because of the advancement in technology advances in air conditioning units. Most units on the market today range from a rating of 13-25.

How is a SEER rating calculated?

The rating itself is calculated by a unit’s average performance, or the amount of cooling an air conditioning system puts out per the units of energy that the AC system uses. The less energy used, the higher the SEER rating is. The higher the rating, the higher the efficiency. This could mean you can save money on your utility bills.

How much money can you save?

The amount of money you can save on utility bills depends on many factors.

• The size of your home and its insulation factor
• The amount you pay per kilowatt-hour for electricity
• The SEER rating of the air conditioning unit
• The current cost of cooling your home

High-efficiency air conditioning units do come at a cost. Higher performing equipment and the advanced technology that goes into producing a higher SEER rating can raise the cost of the AC unit.

Don’t just consider the SEER rating.

You will need a professional for the AC installation process. Your HVAC contractor will first need to determine the optimal size of the new unit before you go buying one. Once your contractor has determined the size you’ll need, you can start your search for a new air conditioning system!

Keep in mind that the higher the SEER rating on a system means that the unit will be more energy-efficient. But the initial cost of the unit may be higher. Most homeowners will choose a unit with a SEER rating of 15-17 because of the balance between the initial cost of the unit and the money that will be saved on utility bills.

Contact us at Max Air for all your HVAC needs! We are here to help you find the unit that best fits your home!