If you’re needing air conditioner installation in Pacheco, you should also be looking at your new air conditioner’s SEER rating.

SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. In a nutshell, it measures how productive your air conditioner is at transforming electricity into chilled air. A high number means your air conditioner is more efficient, which is excellent for your cooling costs.

However, there are a lot of differing solutions available for air conditioners. And a greater SEER ranking usually involves a bigger cost. So, how can you determine which one is best for your home?

At Clean Air HVAC, we give you a free, no-pressure home comfort analysis. You can get one by contacting us at 925-233-6238. Our knowledgeable air conditioner installers will work with you to help you find the right air conditioner for your needs. Plus, they’ll also offer you a free, no-obligation estimate.

Right now, let’s go over SEER ratings and how they can affect your loved ones’ comfort. And your utility costs.

Does SEER Rating Really Matter?

In 2016, the federal government developed new SEER criteria. New air conditioners must be at baseline 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 replaced or what its SEER ranking is, you can find the sticker on the system outside your house. If you can’t see the sticker, you can get in touch with us at 925-233-6238 for support.

If your air conditioner was replaced before that year, it’s likely much less efficient. Air conditioning technology has quickly advanced in the past few years, with big breakthroughs in energy efficiency and smart home capability. Using your new air conditioner with a smart thermostat could help you save even more on cooling expenses, as the thermostat can automatically manage your temperature settings when you’re gone.

If your existing air conditioner has a SEER rating between 8 and 10, adding a 14-SEER system could save you around 30–50% on annual electrical bills. Your savings relate to your air conditioner size and your temperature settings.

Is the Higher the SEER the Better?

An air conditioner with a greater SEER rating will be more efficient at using electricity for cooling. The highest efficiency models, which can go as high as 26 SEER, have ENERGY STAR® certification. This certification shows the air conditioner matches EPA guidelines for energy savings and environmental conservation.

While ENERGY STAR air conditioners are frequently more expensive, you’ll normally get the difference back over the years through cheaper cooling costs. These air conditioners, which are usually rated 16 SEER and higher, use about 8% less energy than other new systems, according to ENERGY STAR.

One of the biggest differences between a 14 SEER and 16 SEER is variable-speed capacity. A variable-speed air conditioner can cool at varying speeds. This improves comfort for your house while keeping your cooling costs down. It can also keep temperatures and humidity more consistent, since it can run for longer without needing a lot more energy.

When getting a variable-speed air conditioner, you’ll want to check that your furnace or air handler is compatible. This is since your air conditioner relies on this equipment’s blower to distribute cool air around your home. Furnaces only run for about 20 years, so if yours is around that mark, we recommend furnace installation at the same time so you can get all the advantages of your variable-speed air conditioner.

When you’re ready to replace your air conditioner, the cooling specialists at Clean Air HVAC are ready to assist you. Give us a call at 925-233-6238 to book your free home comfort analysis right away.