If you’re needing air conditioner installation in Front Royal, you should also be looking at your new air conditioner’s SEER rating.
SEER means Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. In short, it looks at how capable your air conditioner is at turning electricity into cooled air. A greater number indicates your air conditioner is more efficient, which is excellent for your energy bill.
However, there are lots of varying solutions out there for air conditioners. And a greater SEER ranking typically is accompanied by a higher price tag. So, how do you know which one is right for your home?
At Dave's Diversified Services, we offer a free, no-pressure home comfort analysis. You can request one by contacting us at 540-636-3396. Our knowledgeable air conditioner installers will partner with you to help you find the right air conditioner for your budget. Plus, they’ll also give you a free, no-obligation estimate.
Right now, let’s review SEER ratings and how it can impact your family’s comfort. And your electrical bills.
Does My Air Conditioner’s SEER Rating Matter?
In 2016, the federal government made new SEER rules. 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 don’t know when you had your air conditioner put in or what its SEER rating is, you can look at the sticker on the system outside your home. If you can’t locate the sticker, you can reach us at 540-636-3396 for support.
If your air conditioner was replaced before that time, it’s likely much less efficient. Air conditioning technology has quickly changed in the past several years, with big breakthroughs in energy efficiency and smart home capability. Connecting your new air conditioner with a smart thermostat could help you conserve more on AC costs, since the thermostat can intuitively regulate your temperature settings when you’re gone.
If your current air conditioner has a SEER rating between 8 and 10, installing a 14-SEER system could save you close to 30–50% on annual utility costs. Your savings depend on your air conditioner size and your temp settings.
Is a Higher SEER Rating Optimal?
An air conditioner with a better SEER rating will be more efficient at transforming electricity for cooling. The best efficient ones, which can go as big as 26 SEER, have ENERGY STAR® endorsement. This designation shows the air conditioner matches EPA rules for energy savings and environmental conservation.
While ENERGY STAR air conditioners are often more expensive, you’ll generally get the difference back over time through smaller air conditioning bills. These air conditioners, which are typically rated 16 SEER and up, use about 8% less energy than other new systems, according to ENERGY STAR.
One of the greatest differences between a 14 SEER and 16 SEER is variable-speed technology. A variable-speed air conditioner can run at varying speeds. This improves comfort for your family while keeping your power costs down. It can also keep temperatures and humidity more even, since it can go for longer without requiring a lot more electrity.
When getting a variable-speed air conditioner, you’ll need to make sure that your furnace or air handler is compatible. This is because your air conditioner relies on this system’s blower to disperse chilled air across your house. Furnaces only work for around 20 years, so if yours is around that mark, we recommend furnace installation at the same time so you can get all the perks of your variable-speed air conditioner.
When you’re ready to replace your air conditioner, the cooling pros at Dave's Diversified Services are here to assist you. Call us at 540-636-3396 to request your free home comfort analysis now.