If you’re needing air conditioner installation in Florissant, you should also be investigating your new air conditioner’s SEER rating.

SEER means Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. In summary, it measures how effective your air conditioner is at turning electricity into cold air. A bigger number signifies your air conditioner is more efficient, which is excellent for your electric costs.

However, there are lots of varying options on the market for air conditioners. And a better SEER number usually is accompanied by a more expensive price tag. So, how can you determine which one is best for your house?

At B & B Heating & Cooling, we give you a free, no-pressure home comfort analysis. You can get one by contacting us at 314-325-7552. Our skilled air conditioner installers will collaborate with you to help you choose the right air conditioner for your needs. Plus, they’ll also offer you a free, no-obligation estimate.

In the meantime, let’s review SEER ratings and how they can affect your home’s comfort. And your utility bills.

Does SEER Rating Really Matter?

In 2016, the federal government made new SEER guidelines. New air conditioners are required to be at least 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 installed or what its SEER ranking is, you can check the sticker on the unit outside your residence. If you can’t locate the sticker, you can give us a call at 314-325-7552 for help.

If your air conditioner was put in in advance of that date, it’s presumably much less efficient. Air conditioning technology has rapidly changed in the past few years, with major progress in energy efficiency and smart home capability. Pairing your new air conditioner with a smart thermostat could help you spend less on electric bills, because the thermostat can intuitively adjust your temperature settings when you’re away.

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 air conditioning bills. Your savings are tied to your air conditioner size and your temperature settings.

Is the Higher the SEER the Better?

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

While ENERGY STAR air conditioners are typically pricier, you’ll usually get the difference returned over time through smaller electrical costs. These air conditioners, which are typically rated 16 SEER and higher, consume about 8% less electricity than other new systems, 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 cool at different speeds. This improves comfort for your house while keeping your air conditioning expenses down. It can also keep temperatures and humidity more even, since it can operate for longer without consuming a lot more power.

When buying a variable-speed air conditioner, you’ll want to make sure that your furnace or air handler is compatible. This is since your air conditioner depends on this system’s blower to distribute cold air across your home. Furnaces only run for approximately 20 years, so if yours is around that mark, we recommend furnace installation at the same time so you can enjoy all the advantages of your variable-speed air conditioner.

When you’re set to replace your air conditioner, the cooling specialists at B & B Heating & Cooling are available to help. Give us a call at 314-325-7552 to set your free home comfort analysis today.