As you shop for a new AC system, you perhaps have stumbled on the term “SEER rating.” What exactly does this rating mean, and why is it important? Use this SEER rating guide to discover everything you need to know regarding AC efficiency ratings and the new minimum SEER rating increase passed by the federal government.
What Is a SEER Rating?
SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, which is a measure of how well an air conditioner cools your home — or, to describe it another way, how effectively the AC unit removes heat from the indoor air. The SEER rating is scored by dividing the cooling output of an air conditioner by the electric energy it consumes over an entire season. Higher SEER ratings signify a more energy-efficient air conditioning system.
What Is SEER2?
SEER2 is a revised SEER rating system that factors real-world consumption patterns and local climate data. This new metric came into effect in January 2023 to offer a more precise depiction of an AC system’s energy efficiency.
Contrary to the previous SEER rating system, which only factors in an air conditioner’s energy efficiency in laboratory environments, the SEER2 metric delivers homeowners a more realistic picture of how an air conditioner will function once installed in their home. For this reason, you can anticipate SEER2 ratings to be a lower figure than SEER ratings, although they represent the same performance.
What Is the Federal Minimum SEER2 Rating in 2023?
The US Department of Energy (DOE) determines minimum efficiency requirements for cooling systems. In 2023, the minimum SEER ratings for central air conditioners increased to 14 SEER (13.4 SEER2) in the northern U.S. and 15 SEER (14.3 SEER2) in the southern U.S.
This is the first minimum efficiency rating increase since 2015, when the mandated minimum ratings were required to be 13 SEER in the north and 14 SEER in the south. The DOE requires any new AC systems marketed and installed in the United States to meet the new minimums. Even so, homeowners with lower efficiency air conditioners are not required to replace them.
How Do SEER Ratings Affect AC Expenditures?
Cooling systems with higher SEER ratings tend to cost more upon purchase than the ones with lower SEER ratings. It is because ACs with higher SEER ratings utilize more innovative technology and materials to achieve higher performance. The good news is that while air conditioners with higher SEER ratings may require a larger investment, they should save you money ultimately by lowering your energy bills.
Case in point, picture yourself comparing two central air conditioners. System A has a SEER rating of 14 and costs $3,000, but System B has a SEER rating of 18 and costs $4,000. While System B is more costly up-front, it could possibly save you 22% on your cooling costs in comparison to System A. Based on the weather and electricity costs in your town, this can potentially amount to hundreds of dollars in financial savings over the years ahead, making System B a more affordable option over time.
Why Buy an AC with a Higher SEER Rating?
Times have changed, and homeowners are not stuck settling for the minimum SEER rating in your state, not when modern cooling systems are rated 26 SEER or higher. Consider the many benefits of spending your money on such a high-end system:
- Energy savings: As previously mentioned, ACs with higher SEER ratings are more energy efficient. By consuming less energy to get the same cooling output, a high-end unit can help you save considerably on your cooling costs every summer for the lifetime of the system.
- Environmental impact: Less energy consumption will mean fewer greenhouse gas emissions. Selecting an AC with a higher SEER rating cuts down your home’s carbon footprint and leads to a more eco- friendly future.
- Enhanced comfort: Higher SEER-rated cooling systems are more sophisticated, with functions such as two-stage compressors and multi-speed fan motors. Not merely does this avoid wasting energy and money, but it increases home comfort which leads to a quieter, more effective operation.
- Higher home value: New, high-efficiency ACs are more appealing to prospective home buyers at resale time than outdated systems with lower ratings. When it's time to move, having a high SEER-rated AC system can raise the resale value and make your home more attractive to potential buyers. This offers you yet another way to recoup your initial investment in a high-end air conditioner.
Install a New AC Unit Today
Now that you realize what SEER ratings to consider, you may be ready to shop for a replacement air conditioner. Turn to Service Experts for a review of today’s best HVAC systems. You'll save on your utility bills for years into the future by installing an effective AC unit that conform to or exceeds the federal minimum SEER2 rating. We’re so sure you’ll be pleased with our services that we offer a Service Experts Guarantee! For more information or to schedule a free AC installation estimate, please call a Service Experts office near you.
