Shopping for a new air conditioner or furnace can be intimidating. When you're looking to find the best HVAC system for your home, it's understandable to focus on models with the highest efficiency ratings.
Surely the most efficient equipment should deliver the most comfort and lowest energy bills, right?
It’s not quite that simple.
Energy efficiency isn't the only thing that matters when it comes to new air conditioner installation or installing a new furnace. Although many people focus only on energy efficiency, proper HVAC system sizing is equally, if not more important for your home's comfort and your power bills.
Proper sizing also influences humidity control and system longevity. The best HVAC system for your home delivers efficiency and proper sizing.
In thisarticle, we'll explain what an air conditioner's SEER rating or SEER2 rating actually measures, why proper HVAC system sizing is so important and why trusted HVAC experts consider both when helping you choose the best HVAC system for your home.
High Seer Ratings: What Do They Mean?
A SEER rating, (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio), shows how efficiently an air conditioner cools your home over a typical cooling season. A SEER2 rating is the updated version of SEER, using testing methods that better represent real-world operating conditions. Today’s new air conditioners have a SEER2 efficiency rating, simply because this is the updated rating system for cooling equipment.
Fuel-burning heating system efficiency is evaluated by AFUE, which is for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. Similar to SEER and SEER2, higher AFUE ratings indicate a high-efficiency HVAC system that uses less electricity to achieve indoor comfort than lower-rated systems under standardized laboratory testing.
That said, high numbers don't by themselves guarantee lower utility bills. Everyday heating and air conditioner efficiency depends on many factors, including the quality of the installation, the state of your ductwork, how much insulation your home has, thermostat settings and, most importantly, system sizing. Even the most efficient system cannot deliver peak performance if it is bigger than necessary or too small for the home.
Why Correct HVAC System Sizing Matters More Than You Think
Many assume a higher-capacity air conditioner or furnace will work the best or that they should simply replace their old HVAC system with a same-sized replacement. Actually, new heating system installation or air conditioner replacement should be sized based on your home's true heating and cooling needs—not just square footage or the size of your existing equipment.
That's why reputable technicians conduct an HVAC load calculation, also called a Manual J calculation, before recommending replacement equipment. A Manual J calculation considers many details that impact your home's heating and cooling requirements, including:
- Total square footage
- Room height
- Window size and placement
- Home insultation levels
- Air infiltration
- Local climate
- Household occupants
- Heat generated by appliances and lighting
- Air duct condition
A properly sized air conditioner runs through longer cooling cycles to cool your home evenly while removing excess humidity. That means more even temperatures, better indoor comfort and improved humidity control. This also allows the equipment to run more effciently, reducing excessive wear and tear that can reduce its service life or lead to frequent or expensive repairs.
When a furnace or AC is the right size for your home, you get improved comfort and more reliable operation.
Problems Caused by Oversized and Undersized HVAC Equipment
It might be tempting to buy the most energy efficient, largest-capacity air conditioner or heating system on the market. The truth is, that's usually not a good investment.
HVAC systems that are bigger than your home needs or smaller than your home requires can create indoor comfort challenges, increase utility costs and reduce efficiency regardless of their SEER rating.
Common Problems With Oversized HVAC Systems
An oversized air conditioner or heating system may work quickly, but that doesn't mean it delivers the best comfort.
- Short cycling: An oversized HVAC system cycles repeatedly, reducing efficiency and increasing wear and tear.
- Humidity problems: Oversized air conditioners cool your home too quickly to remove enough moisture from the air.
- Inconsistent temperatures: Some rooms become too cold while others stay too warm.
- Additional equipment wear: Even though the system reaches the target temperature rapidly, those frequent starts and stops can cause avoidable breakdowns due to the strain.
Drawbacks of Undersized HVAC Systems
An undersized HVAC system also can struggle:
- Long run times: The system operates almost continuously trying to reach the set temperature, which also causes extra strain.
- Difficulty maintaining the desired temperature: Your home may never feel as cool as you want during hot weather or always feel chilly in the winter.
- Increased energy consumption: Running nonstop can increase utility bills.
- Added strain during extreme weather: HVAC systems that are too small can work harder in extreme temperatures, increasing wear and the chance of failure.
Why You Should Balance HVAC System Efficiency and Size
When weighing the pros and cons of a high SEER vs right-sized system, keep in mind that you don't automatically need the highest-efficiency model on the market.
More often than not, a properly sized, mid-efficiency HVAC system will outperform an oversized premium system because it functions the way it was designed to.
Thesmartest choice is an energy-efficient HVAC system that's properly sized for your home, your budget, your climate and your long-term goals.
As you consider how to choose a new air conditioner or furnace, consider:
- Efficiency savings: Higher-efficiency and right-sized systems can decrease electricity use.
- Initial cost: High-efficiency AC and heating systems often require a larger upfront investment than mid-range models but can help reduce long-term energy costs.
- Energy prices: Areas with more expensive electricity may see better long-term savings from higher-efficiency units.
- Climate: It's essential your heating or cooling system has the right capacity to handle areas with extremely cold winters or intense summer heat.
- Length of home ownership: If you expect to live in your home for many years, the long-term energy savings of a higher-efficiency unit may justify the investment.
- Rebates and tax credits: Manufacturer promotions, {utility|equipment rebates and tax credits can lower the overall cost of higher-efficiency systems.
Real-World Example: High Seer vs. Right System Size
How does this work in a real world example?
Picture two neighboring homes.
In the first, the homeowner chooses a premium high-efficiency HVAC system that's too big because the contractor only matched the previous unit. Next door, the second homeowner installs a right-sized, moderate-efficiency system after completing a Manual J calculation.
Even though the second system has a more modest efficiency rating on paper, it may provide lower operating costs, better home comfort, more effective humidity control and have a longer lifespan because it's correctly matched to the home's needs.
Choose the HVAC Professional Who Designs Personalized Solutions
Replacing your HVAC system should involve more than selecting a model with the highest efficiency rating. The best system is one that meets your household heating and cooling requirements.
At Custom Air Systems Inc, our experienced professionals perform an HVAC load calculation. We'll carefully evaluate your home's design, your household's comfort goals and recommend equipment that's right for your home—not simply the biggest, latest and greatest unit or the one with the highest AFUE or SEER2 rating.
Our HVAC experts will help you identify any available rebates and tax incentives and provide information about HVAC financing options that make efficient heating and cooling systems more accessible for all budgets.
Schedule an HVAC consultation online with Custom Air Systems Inc now. Our team will evaluate your home, answer any questions and help you choose the properly sized high-efficiency system that keeps your family comfortable for the long haul.
