The performance of your heating and cooling system is determined in a large part by your HVAC equipment’s operating efficiency.
Each “matched system” - an outdoor compressor bearing unit that matches with an indoor unit - is tested and awarded an Energy Efficiency Rating, sort of like a miles per gallon (mpg) rating for your car.
The more cooling/heating a system puts out for each unit of energy it consumes, the higher rating it will receive. The higher the efficiency rating of your system, the less energy it will consume…that means lower utility bills and less of an impact on the environment.
Also, utility companies will often compensate homeowners to the tune of hundreds of dollars to install high-efficiency systems. As of January 2006, the federal government mandates that all new central air conditioning equipment be at least 13 SEER, but there is equipment available rated as high as 18 and even 23 SEER.
Neri & Russo Services urges you to install an air conditioning system that is at least 16 SEER, especially if you live in the New Jersey where air conditioning systems Electric rates are higher in the cooling season. Use our Cooling Calculator to see the impact on your wallet and your environmental footprint that higher SEER air conditioning can have for you.
Amazingly, one in four furnaces in U.S. homes today is more than 20 years old and should be replaced with new high-efficiency systems.
If you’ve been looking at replacing your air conditioner, you’ve probably noticed that they all seem to have a SEER rating. But what does this actually mean?
The SEER, which stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, is a measure of how energy efficient a particular air conditioning model is. So when you’re shopping around for the best deal on an air conditioner for your home, this is something you’ll absolutely want to pay attention to.
Interpreting SEER Ratings
The SEER rating system is relatively simple – the higher the SEER, the more energy efficient the product. But because a higher price tag typically comes with a higher SEER rating, it’s important to know just how much more efficient a higher rated unit will be. It helps you decide whether paying significantly more for a higher rated unit is worth it in long term savings. Will it actually save you enough each month to make up for the difference in price?
Evaluating Your Energy Usage
A big factor here is how much you will use your air conditioner. If you live in a place with very hot and humid summers where the air conditioning runs constantly, you’re probably best off with the highest SEER you can find. When you consume that much energy to keep your home cool, you want to get as much as possible out of it, and that’s what a high SEER model can do for you.
On the other hand, if you live in an area that doesn’t have the harshest summers, you may be better off with a slightly less efficient (and therefore cheaper) model. Keep in mind, too, that the actual percentage increase in energy efficiency goes up by smaller and smaller increments the higher in SEER ratings you get. For instance, while a 10 SEER unit may be almost 20% more efficient than an 8 SEER model, a 12 SEER is only about 10% more efficient than that 10 SEER.
Finding the Right Balance
The best way to decide what SEER rating is best for you is to determine the annual cooling costs with your current unit and then calculate your savings in dollars based on the percentage each model would improve your efficiency. If you don’t currently have an air conditioner, this can be a bit tricky, Neri & Russo will be happy to help you estimate your total monthly cooling costs with the various units.
In the chart, the left column indicates operating costs and the gradually decreasing scale shows how with a higher SEER rating (numbers along bottom of chart) the operating costs are reduced. In essence, if you would have spent $100 to operate an 8.00 SEER system, by installing a 14.00 SEER system, your operating costs would drop to $57.00 as opposed to the $100 spent operating the lower efficiency system. These are estimates only, and designed to show that with the higher the SEER rating, the lower the operating costs.
Here’s your range of options:
High/Low- Yes, they cost more upfront, but they also save more. Many homeowners prefer the logic of a higher upfront cost that saves them months after on their energy dollars. For high-efficiency central air conditioners, you’ll look for a 16 to 23 SEER.
Mid-When you see SEER 14.5 to 17, you’re in mid-range efficiency for central air conditioners. They’re price a little lower than the higher efficiency units and have a few less benefits. If you’re replacing an air conditioner that’s more than 12-15 years old, this would seem like top of the line by comparison.
Low/High-Minimum energy efficiency comes in a 13 to 14.5 SEER air conditioner. The lower initial cost won’t bring as high a level of savings on the operational costs, but many homeowners on a tight budget will consider this to be a good value.
What’s right for your home? Call Neri & Russo Services at 973-227-3599 or email us at Service@neriandrusso.com and we will help!