If you’re thinking over air conditioner installation in Mount Pleasant, you should also be considering your new air conditioner’s SEER rating.

SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. In a nutshell, it measures how capable your air conditioner is at transforming electricity into cooled air. A bigger number indicates your air conditioner is more efficient, which is good for your cooling expenses.

However, there are a lot of different models on the market for air conditioners. And a higher SEER rating often involves a higher price tag. So, how can you determine which one is best for your house?

At Olde Towne Heating & Air, we provide a free, no-pressure home comfort analysis. You can get one by contacting us at 843-485-0967. Our skilled air conditioner installers will partner with you to help you pick the right air conditioner for your family. 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 home’s comfort. And your electrical bills.

What Does the SEER Rating Really Matter?

In 2016, the federal government made new SEER guidelines. New air conditioners must 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 put in or what its SEER number is, you can check the sticker on the condenser outside your house. If you can’t find the sticker, you can get in touch with us at 843-485-0967 for help.

If your air conditioner was put in prior to that time, it’s presumably much less efficient. Cooling technology has quickly evolved in the past couple of years, with huge progress in energy efficiency and smart home compatibility. Using your new air conditioner with a smart thermostat could help you conserve more on utility bills, as the thermostat can automatically adjust your temperature settings when you’re gone.

If your current air conditioner has a SEER rating between 8 and 10, installing a 14-SEER system could save you around 30–50% on annual electrical expenses. Your savings depend on your air conditioner size and your temperature settings.

Is the highest SEER Rating the Best?

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

While ENERGY STAR air conditioners are typically more expensive, you’ll normally get the difference returned over the years through reduced electrical bills. These air conditioners, which are frequently rated 16 SEER and better, use about 8% less power than other new models, according to ENERGY STAR.

One of the largest differences between a 14 SEER and 16 SEER is variable-speed capability. A variable-speed air conditioner can operate at a number of speeds. This improves comfort for your home while keeping your power bills low. It can also keep temperatures and humidity more even, since it can go 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 because your air conditioner uses this system’s blower to distribute cold air throughout your house. Furnaces only run for about 20 years, so if yours is around that mark, we advise getting furnace installation at the same time so you can receive all the perks of your variable-speed air conditioner.

When you’re set to replace your air conditioner, the cooling specialists at Olde Towne Heating & Air are ready to support you. Call us at 843-485-0967 to schedule your free home comfort analysis now.