If you’re needing air conditioner installation in Rapid City, you should also be looking at your new air conditioner’s SEER rating.
SEER is short for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. In summary, it looks at how efficient your air conditioner is at converting electricity into chilled air. A greater number indicates your air conditioner is more efficient, which is excellent for your electrical bill.
However, there are lots of varying solutions out there for air conditioners. And a greater SEER rating often includes a more expensive cost. So, how do you know which one is ideal for your house?
At Street Heating and Cooling, we give you a free, no-pressure home comfort analysis. You can get one by contacting us at 605-206-3915. Our experienced air conditioner installers will work with you to help you pick the right air conditioner for your home. Plus, they’ll also offer you a free, no-obligation estimate.
For the time being, let’s go over SEER ratings and how it can affect your family’s comfort. And your electric bills.
How Does SEER Rating Affect My Air Conditioner?
In 2016, the federal government developed new SEER rules. New air conditioners are required to be at baseline 13 SEER in the northern 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 locate the sticker on the system outside your home. If you can’t find the sticker, you can get in touch with us at 605-206-3915 for assistance.
If your air conditioner was installed prior to that date, it’s probably much less efficient. Air conditioner technology has rapidly advanced in the past several years, with big progress in energy efficiency and smart home compatibility. Connecting your new air conditioner with a smart thermostat could help you spend less on electric costs, because the thermostat can automatically change your temperature settings when you’re gone.
If your current air conditioner has a SEER rating between 8 and 10, adding a 14-SEER system could save you an estimated 30–50% on annual electricity bills. Your savings are contingent upon your air conditioner size and your thermostat settings.
Is a Higher SEER Rating Better?
An air conditioner with a better SEER rating will be more efficient at using electricity for cooling. The highest efficiency models, which can go as great as 26 SEER, have ENERGY STAR® designation. This certification signifies the air conditioner matches 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 air conditioning costs. These air conditioners, which are usually rated 16 SEER and up, need about 8% less electricity than other new models, according to ENERGY STAR.
One of the largest differences between a 14 SEER and 16 SEER is variable-speed capacity. A variable-speed air conditioner can operate at different speeds. This improves comfort for your home while keeping your air conditioning expenses down. It can also keep temperatures and humidity more balanced, since it can work for longer without needing a lot more electrity.
When adding a variable-speed air conditioner, you’ll need to make sure that your furnace or air handler is compatible. This is since your air conditioner depends on this unit’s blower to disperse chilled air around your home. Furnaces only last for approximately 20 years, so if yours is around that mark, we advise getting furnace installation at the same time so you can receive all the advantages of your variable-speed air conditioner.
When you’re set to replace your air conditioner, the cooling pros at Street Heating and Cooling are ready to assist you. Give us a call at 605-206-3915 to set your free home comfort analysis now.