If you’re needing air conditioner installation in Chelan and Wenatchee, 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 effective your air conditioner is at transforming electricity into chilled air. A greater number signifies your air conditioner is more efficient, which is great for your cooling expenses.
However, there are many varying options on the market for air conditioners. And a greater SEER rating often is accompanied by a bigger price tag. So, how do you know which one is best for your house?
At Lakeside Heating & Air, we offer a free, no-pressure home comfort analysis. You can book one by contacting us at 509-284-4265. Our knowledgeable air conditioner installers will collaborate with you to help you locate the right air conditioner for your home. Plus, they’ll also provide you with a free, no-obligation estimate.
For the time being, let’s go over SEER ratings and how it can affect your home’s comfort. And your utility bills.
Does SEER Rating Really Matter?
In 2016, the federal government developed new SEER criteria. New air conditioners must be at least 13 SEER in the northernmost United States and 14 SEER in the southeast and southwest. If you’re not sure when you had your air conditioner replaced or what its SEER rating is, you can locate the sticker on the system outside your house. If you can’t see the sticker, you can reach us at 509-284-4265 for assistance.
If your air conditioner was put in before that year, it’s presumably much less efficient. Air conditioning technology has quickly evolved in the past few years, with huge breakthroughs in energy efficiency and smart home capability. Pairing your new air conditioner with a smart thermostat could help you spend less on AC expenses, because the thermostat can seamlessly adjust your temperature settings when you’re gone.
If your present air conditioner has a SEER rating between 8 and 10, adding a 14-SEER system could save you around 30–50% on annual air conditioning bills. Your savings depend on your air conditioner size and your temperature settings.
Is a Higher SEER Rating Better?
An air conditioner with a better SEER rating will be more efficient at using electricity for cooling. The best efficient ones, which can go as high as 26 SEER, carry ENERGY STAR® designation. This designation shows the air conditioner matches EPA requirements for energy savings and environmental conservation.
While ENERGY STAR air conditioners are often more costly, you’ll generally get the difference returned throughout the years through lower air conditioning expenses. These air conditioners, which are usually rated 16 SEER and up, use about 8% less power than other new systems, according to ENERGY STAR.
One of the biggest differences between a 14 SEER and 16 SEER is variable-speed capability. A variable-speed air conditioner can cool at varying speeds. This improves comfort for your family while keeping your energy expenses low. It can also keep temperatures and humidity more even, since it can run for longer without consuming a lot more energy.
When buying a variable-speed air conditioner, you’ll want to ensure that your furnace or air handler is compatible. This is since your air conditioner uses this equipment’s blower to distribute cool air across your house. 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 specialists at Lakeside Heating & Air are here to support you. Give us a call at 509-284-4265 to set your free home comfort analysis now.