What SEER Level Should You Choose
For a homeowner getting ready to purchase a new air conditioner, they might hear their HVAC contractor talk about a SEER rating.
What is a SEER rating? Well, it stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. The technical answer is SEER is the ratio of cooling output that an air conditioner has over an average cooling season divided by the energy used. This energy is measured in watts-hours.
The easy way for homeowners to think about it is to look towards their garage. Homeowners should think of SEER like they do miles per gallon rating on their cars. The higher the number… the higher the efficiency.
What SEER rating is right for you? It depends on a lot of factors. The first factor is where you live in the United States. Beginning in 2015, the U.S. government established minimum efficiency standards for air conditioners based on regions. Before that, there had only been one standard for the entire country. Currently, the minimum standards are 13 SEER for the North and 14 SEER for the Southwest and Southeast regions.
The thought process is that folks in Arizona run their air conditioners a lot more than people who live in Wisconsin. Get with your local HVAC contractor to decide how high of an efficiency is right for your home. They will be able to let you know how the different SEER levels will translate into energy savings.
Homeowners might want to purchase an air conditioner in 2022, because starting on Jan. 1, 2023 the regional standards mandate will change. The levels will move up to 14 SEER in the North and 15 SEER in the Southwest and Southeast.
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