If you’re thinking about air conditioner installation in Mankato area, you should also be considering your new air conditioner’s SEER rating.
SEER means Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. In summary, it measures how effective your air conditioner is at converting electricity into chilled air. A bigger number signifies your air conditioner is more efficient, which is good for your energy expenses.
However, there are lots of differing solutions to choose from for air conditioners. And a higher SEER ranking usually includes a more expensive price. So, how can you find out which one is ideal for your residence?
At Northern Comfort Inc, we give you a free, no-pressure home comfort analysis. You can schedule one by contacting us at 507-387-6596. Our skilled air conditioner installers will work with you to help you choose the right air conditioner for your needs. Plus, they’ll also provide you with a free, no-obligation estimate.
In the meantime, let’s go over SEER ratings and how they can affect your family’s comfort. And your energy bills.
Why Do the SEER Ratings Really Matter?
In 2016, the federal government developed new SEER criteria. New air conditioners are required to be at baseline 13 SEER in the north United States and 14 SEER in the southeast and southwest. If you’re not sure when you had your air conditioner put in or what its SEER ranking is, you can find the sticker on the system outside your residence. If you can’t find the sticker, you can give us a call at 507-387-6596 for assistance.
If your air conditioner was put in before that year, it’s presumably much less efficient. Air conditioning technology has swiftly advanced in the past several years, with major developments in energy efficiency and smart home capability. Connecting your new air conditioner with a smart thermostat could help you conserve more on AC expenses, because the thermostat can automatically change your temperature settings when you’re away.
If your existing air conditioner has a SEER rating between 8 and 10, getting a 14-SEER system could save you close to 30–50% on annual air conditioning expenses. Your savings are contingent upon your air conditioner size and your temperature settings.
Is a Higher SEER Rating Always Better?
An air conditioner with a higher SEER rating will be more efficient at consuming electricity for cooling. The highest efficiency models, which can go as great as 26 SEER, have ENERGY STAR® designation. This designation shows the air conditioner meets EPA guidelines for energy savings and environmental conservation.
While ENERGY STAR air conditioners are typically pricier, you’ll normally get the difference returned over time through lower electric costs. These air conditioners, which are frequently rated 16 SEER and up, consume about 8% less energy than other new units, according to ENERGY STAR.
One of the biggest differences between a 14 SEER and 16 SEER is variable-speed technology. A variable-speed air conditioner can cool at different speeds. This fine-tunes comfort for your house while keeping your power bills down. It can also keep temperatures and humidity more even, since it can operate for longer without consuming a lot more electricity.
When buying a variable-speed air conditioner, you’ll want to make sure that your furnace or air handler is compatible. This is since your air conditioner relies on this unit’s blower to distribute chilled air throughout your house. Furnaces only run for about 20 years, so if yours is around that age, we suggest getting furnace installation at the same time so you can get all the perks of your variable-speed air conditioner.
When you’re prepared to replace your air conditioner, the cooling specialists at Northern Comfort Inc are ready to help. Give us a call at 507-387-6596 to set your free home comfort analysis now.
