If you’re needing air conditioner installation in Port St. Lucie, you should also be considering your new air conditioner’s SEER rating.

SEER is short for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. In summary, it examines how productive your air conditioner is at turning electricity into cooled air. A bigger number signifies your air conditioner is more efficient, which is excellent for your electrical bills.

However, there are lots of different solutions out there for air conditioners. And a greater SEER ranking often involves a more expensive cost. So, how can you determine which one is right for your home?

At Custom Air Systems Inc, we offer a free, no-pressure home comfort analysis. You can schedule one by contacting us at 772-247-2283. Our experienced air conditioner installers will partner with you to help you pick the right air conditioner for your budget. Plus, they’ll also offer you a free, no-obligation estimate.

For the time being, let’s discuss SEER ratings and how they can affect your family’s comfort. And your electric bills.

Does SEER Rating Really Matter?

In 2016, the federal government created new SEER criteria. New air conditioners are required to be at least 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 rating is, you can check the sticker on the condenser outside your home. If you can’t locate the sticker, you can reach us at 772-247-2283 for help.

If your air conditioner was installed in advance of that year, it’s presumably much less efficient. Air conditioning technology has quickly changed in the past few years, with huge breakthroughs in energy efficiency and smart home compatibility. Connecting your new air conditioner with a smart thermostat could help you save even more on utility expenses, as the thermostat can intuitively change your temperature settings when you’re out.

If your current air conditioner has a SEER rating between 8 and 10, adding a 14-SEER system could save you close to 30–50% on annual cooling expenses. Your savings are tied to your air conditioner size and your temp settings.

Is the Higher the SEER the Better?

An air conditioner with a better SEER rating will be more efficient at using electricity for cooling. The best efficient systems, which can go as big as 26 SEER, carry ENERGY STAR® designation. This endorsement signifies the air conditioner has achieved EPA requirements for energy savings and environmental conservation.

While ENERGY STAR air conditioners are often more costly, you’ll generally get the difference repaid throughout the years through cheaper electrical expenses. These air conditioners, which are generally rated 16 SEER and up, consume about 8% less energy than other new systems, according to ENERGY STAR.

One of the greatest differences between a 14 SEER and 16 SEER is variable-speed capability. A variable-speed air conditioner can work at varying speeds. This improves comfort for your home while keeping your utility bills reduced. It can also keep temperatures and humidity more even, since it can go for longer without consuming a lot more power.

When buying a variable-speed air conditioner, you’ll have to make sure that your furnace or air handler is compatible. This is since your air conditioner depends on this equipment’s blower to send cold air throughout your home. Furnaces only last for approximately 20 years, so if yours is getting old, 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 professionals at Custom Air Systems Inc are here to support you. Call us at 772-247-2283 to set your free home comfort analysis now.