If you’re needing air conditioner installation in Plover, 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 capable your air conditioner is at changing electricity into cold air. A bigger number means your air conditioner is more efficient, which is excellent for your energy costs.

However, there are a lot of different models out there for air conditioners. And a higher SEER number typically is accompanied by a bigger price. So, how can you determine which one is right for your house?

At Point Heating & Cooling, we provide a free, no-pressure home comfort analysis. You can get one by contacting us at 715-504-0533. Our skilled air conditioner installers will partner with you to help you find the right air conditioner for your budget. Plus, they’ll also offer you a free, no-obligation estimate.

For the time being, let’s go over SEER ratings and how they can affect your home’s comfort. And your utility bills.

Does SEER Rating Really Matter?

In 2016, the federal government made new SEER guidelines. New air conditioners are mandated at baseline 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 put in or what its SEER number is, you can look at the sticker on the condenser outside your home. If you can’t locate the sticker, you can get in touch with us at 715-504-0533 for help.

If your air conditioner was put in before that time, it’s presumably much less efficient. Air conditioning technology has rapidly advanced in the past couple of years, with big developments in energy efficiency and smart home compatibility. Pairing your new air conditioner with a smart thermostat could help you save even more on electric costs, since the thermostat can automatically change your temperature settings when you’re gone.

If your current air conditioner has a SEER rating between 8 and 10, adding a 14-SEER system could save you around 30–50% on annual electrical costs. Your savings depend on your air conditioner size and your temperature settings.

Is the Higher the SEER the Better?

An air conditioner with a better SEER rating will be more efficient at consuming electricity for cooling. The highest efficiency systems, which can go as high as 26 SEER, have ENERGY STAR® certification. This endorsement means the air conditioner has achieved EPA guidelines for energy savings and environmental conservation.

While ENERGY STAR air conditioners are frequently more expensive, you’ll generally get the difference returned over time through smaller electrical expenses. These air conditioners, which are usually rated 16 SEER and higher, need about 8% less energy than other new systems, according to ENERGY STAR.

One of the biggest differences between a 14 SEER and 16 SEER is variable-speed capacity. A variable-speed air conditioner can work at different speeds. This fine-tunes comfort for your house while keeping your air conditioning bills down. It can also keep temperatures and humidity more balanced, since it can run for longer without consuming a lot more electricity.

When buying a variable-speed air conditioner, you’ll have to make sure that your furnace or air handler is compatible. This is due to the fact your air conditioner uses this equipment’s blower to send chilled air across your residence. Furnaces only work for around 20 years, so if yours is getting old, we recommend furnace installation at the same time so you can receive all the perks of your variable-speed air conditioner.

When you’re prepared to replace your air conditioner, the cooling professionals at Point Heating & Cooling are here to help. Reach us at 715-504-0533 to schedule your free home comfort analysis right away.