What is a Good SEER Rating for an Air Conditioner?

If you are looking to install a new HVAC system or upgrade an existing unit, you may be noticing quite a few references to a SEER rating.  A SEER rating can help you decide what unit or HVAC system is best for your home and the most energy efficient. Along with a Bill Howe Comfort Adviser, you can make an informed decision as to what type of HVAC system will work best for your home and budget.

What is a SEER rating?

When you are beginning the decision process for a new HVAC unit, a SEER rating will be included in the information about the unit.  SEER is short for, “Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating.” A SEER rating is the cooling output of an air conditioner over an average cooling season divided by the energy the unit consumed in watt-hours. A SEER rating is very similar to a car’s MPG, so understanding SEER ratings can be beneficial to be sure you purchase the right HVAC unit. Like an MPG, a SEER value is your air conditioner’s ideal rating and may fluctuate depending on conditions. How often you run your A/C, how hot it is outside of your home, and humidity levels all affect how hard your air conditioner will need to work in order to maintain a comfortable indoor air temperature. Most modern air conditioners have a SEER value ranging from 13 to 14 up to 21 – 25. With maximum efficiency being at the forefront of California’s culture, the minimum acceptable SEER value is 14. With newer air conditioning units, depending on how old your current air conditioner is, you will see a higher improvement in efficiency.  A newer air conditioner will not only decrease the cost of your energy bills but will cool your home more effectively as well.  

Types of  Air Conditioners

Another thing to consider when installing a new air conditioner is which type of unit would be most efficient at creating the most comfortable indoor temperature for your space.  

A mini-split system is great for a room or area that cannot be accessed by a package or central air conditioner. These cooling systems are great options for units that are separate from the main residence. A mini-split system works by having both an indoor and outdoor unit. It draws in hot air from within the room, cools it within the unit, then blows the cold air back into the room. Mini-split models can even be set up to cool multiple rooms. Of course, mini-split systems can be installed and maintained by a certified Bill Howe technician.  

A central air conditioner requires ducts, but can simultaneously cool multiple rooms in your home with higher efficiency. These are great for homes where you would like to create a comfortable environment throughout the home while only having to use one unit. Like the mini-split, central air conditioners remove heat from your home, cool it down in the outdoor unit, then blow the newly cold air back into your home. Installation of these units require a higher upfront cost than mini-splits, but create household comfort, are efficient, and relatively quiet. With years of experience under our belt, you can count on Bill Howe Heating & Air to properly install a central air conditioner at your residential or commercial property.

A package system works very similarly to a central air conditioner except that the package system also houses a heating system. These are great options for properties that do not have a lot of space.  Package systems are located either on the roof or on the side of a building. Like a central air conditioner, these require ducts which makes the upfront cost of installation on the pricier side. Since the heating and air conditioning elements are housed in the same location, maintenance will be a breeze. Package systems work by removing heat from your property, cooling it down, then blowing it back inside as cold air.  Expert Bill Howe technicians can install and maintain package systems effortlessly.

Once you meet with a Bill Howe Heating & Air Comfort Adviser, you can decide what type of system and SEER value will work best for you and your family so that you become the most energy-efficient homeowners in town. When you’re ready to install a new HVAC unit to improve your energy-efficiency, call 1-800-BILL-HOWE (1-800-245-5469).