If you’re needing air conditioner installation in Laguna Niguel, you should also be considering your new air conditioner’s SEER rating.
SEER is short for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. In short, it measures how efficient your air conditioner is at turning electricity into cold air. A greater number indicates your air conditioner is more efficient, which is great for your energy bill.
However, there are a lot of different solutions on the market for air conditioners. And a higher SEER rating frequently includes a higher price tag. So, how do you know which one is right for your house?
At Ocean Air Conditioning and Heating , we give you a free, no-pressure home comfort analysis. You can book one by contacting us at 949-317-4175. Our skilled air conditioner installers will partner with you to help you find the right air conditioner for your family. Plus, they’ll also offer you a free, no-obligation estimate.
For the time being, let’s review SEER ratings and how it can influence your home’s comfort. And your utility costs.
Does My Air Conditioner’s SEER Rating Matter?
In 2016, the federal government created new SEER criteria. New air conditioners must be at minimum 13 SEER in the north United States and 14 SEER in the southeast and southwest. If you’re unsure when you had your air conditioner replaced or what its SEER number is, you can locate the sticker on the system outside your home. If you can’t find the sticker, you can get in touch with us at 949-317-4175 for assistance.
If your air conditioner was put in before that time, it’s presumably much less efficient. Cooling technology has rapidly evolved in the past couple of years, with huge progress in energy efficiency and smart home capacity. Pairing your new air conditioner with a smart thermostat could help you save even more on air conditioning bills, as the thermostat can seamlessly adjust your temperature settings when you’re out.
If your existing air conditioner has a SEER rating between 8 and 10, adding a 14-SEER system could save you an estimated 30–50% on annual air conditioning expenses. Your savings are tied to your air conditioner size and your temperature settings.
Is a Higher SEER Number Ideal?
An air conditioner with a better SEER rating will be more efficient at consuming electricity for cooling. The highest efficiency models, which can go as great as 26 SEER, carry ENERGY STAR® designation. This designation means the air conditioner has achieved EPA guidelines for energy savings and environmental conservation.
While ENERGY STAR air conditioners are often more costly, you’ll generally get the difference back throughout the years through lower utility bills. These air conditioners, which are typically 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 capability. A variable-speed air conditioner can operate at different speeds. This fine-tunes comfort for your residence while keeping your air conditioning costs low. It can also keep temperatures and humidity more balanced, since it can go for longer without consuming a lot more electrity.
When getting a variable-speed air conditioner, you’ll have to ensure that your furnace or air handler is compatible. This is because your air conditioner relies on this equipment’s blower to send cold air across your house. Furnaces only run for around 20 years, so if yours is around that age, we advise getting furnace installation at the same time so you can receive all the advantages of your variable-speed air conditioner.
When you’re prepared to replace your air conditioner, the cooling professionals at Ocean Air Conditioning and Heating are here to support you. Give us a call at 949-317-4175 to schedule your free home comfort analysis now.