Perhaps you have an older, less energy efficient AC system that’s in need of replacement. If you’ve done your homework when it comes to shopping for a new air conditioning system, you’ve probably heard the term SEER rating come up but maybe it hasn’t been adequately explained. Believe it or not, even some industry professionals provide inaccurate information about SEER ratings. In this article, we’d like to correctly explain what SEER is and why it is helpful to know when selecting of a new AC unit.

What does SEER Stand For?

SEER is an acronym for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio.

What is a SEER Rating?

SEER is a calculation (numeric value) that measures air conditioning and heat pump cooling efficiency. Generally speaking, SEER for air conditioners ranges from a low of 13 to a high of 21.
A higher SEER rating indicates a greater efficiency at cooling a home. In other words, a higher SEER rated air conditioner uses less energy to cool a home than lower SEER rated unit. And that in turn, should reduce your energy bill. Why? With a more energy efficient AC unit, your home is more quickly cooled and therefore runs less frequently whereas a less energy efficient air conditioner may need to run continuously or more often (especially during the extreme heat of a Phoenix Summer), thereby consuming more energy to do so.

How to Calculate Your AC System’s Operating Costs Using SEER

A homeowner can use the formula below to estimate roughly what it might cost to operate a new AC system based on the SEER rating of that unit:

SEER x Hours of Use x Electric Rate = Cost of Operation

Which SEER Rating in Best for You?

Depending on the make and model, you will typically find that highest (or very high) SEER rated AC Systems tend to employ a two-stage and variable-speed technology compressor motor whereas lower rated SEER and more budget friendly AC units use a standard, single-stage motor. As to which SEER rating is best for you depends upon a number of factors, such as your budget, quality of your home’s duct work and insulation, etc. That’s why speaking with a qualified air conditioning technician from Eagle Air Cooling & Heating is a smart way to determine which AC system is best for your needs and will enable us to calculate the approximate cost of running a new AC system.

If you are a Queen Creek, AZ area homeowner with an older, lower SEER rated AC unit and are interested in upgrading to a higher SEER rated, more energy efficient Air Conditioner, contact the HVAC replacement and installation experts at Eagle Air Cooling & Heating by calling 480-748-1781.