What Should My Air Conditioners SEER Rating Be?

Looking for a new air conditioner? Make sure you check the SEER rating before you make your purchase. The SEER rating, or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating, is the figure that tells you exactly how effectively an air conditioner will covert your power into the clean, cool, refreshing air you breathe. The higher the SEER rating, the better the system’s overall performance and the greater the energy savings!

How Much Does A SEER Rating Matter Really?

Take a minute to think about how old your air conditioner currently is. If it’s older than five years, there’s a good chance your system is operating far below what is even considered baseline acceptable today. You see, it wasn’t until 2016 that the federal government created the latest SEER criteria. Now, new systems in the northern United States are required to have a minimum SEER rating of 13, with states in the southwest, like Arizona, requiring a SEER rating of 14. You can check your current air conditioners SEER rating by checking the sticker attached to the condenser on the unit outside your home. If you don’t see a sticker, reach out to Tru Comfort Heating and Cooling and we’ll send someone over right away to figure out whether or not your property is ready for an upgrade.

Is A Higher SEER Rating Worth The Cost?

A lot of advancements in cooling technology have happened in the last few years, which means more money you could be saving. In fact, if your current air conditioner has a SEER rating of only 8-10, getting an upgraded model with a SEER rating of only 14, the lowest allowable rating on the market, you could potentially save up to 50% on your total cooling costs – and the higher the SEER rating, the higher your potential savings! As of right now, the SEER rating system reaches as high as 26. A SEER rating of 26 means the system is as energy efficient as it can be, and will earn a special ENERGY STAR® endorsement. That being said, the higher the SEER rating, the more expensive the unit will be to purchase upfront. It will be up to you to determine if the overall long-term savings on utility bills and inevitable repairs outweighs the initial sting of splurging on a higher quality air conditioner.

Have questions about what type of air conditioner is right for your property? We can’t wait to answer them. Get in touch with our technicians at Tru Comfort Heating and Cooling anytime. We’ll even tell you how to can try and get financing on you new equipment! Call Tru Comfort Heating and Cooling today at (602) 499-7855 for a free consultation*, or simply fill out the form in the sidebar, to see how we can help.