What’s a Good SEER Rating for an HVAC System?

An efficient HVAC system consumes less power without compromising your home’s comfort. That’s why most people prioritize efficiency over other considerations when installing an HVAC system. But how can you determine an HVAC’s efficiency? Well, to know how efficient your HVAC is, you’ll have to check its SEER rating.

The Seasonal Energy Efficient Ratio or SEER rating indicates how efficient your HVAC system is. Typically, the higher the SEER rating, the higher the efficiency. Understanding everything about SEER ratings will help you make a well-informed decision when choosing an HVAC system. But what SEER rating is “good” for your HVAC.

What Is a SEER Rating?

A Seasonal Energy Efficient Ratio rating, or SEER rating, is a ratio of your HVAC’s cooling output under normal cooling conditions and how much power it consumes. You can find the SEER rating by finding the total cooling output multiplied by the number of cooling hours then dividing the result by the total energy consumed during that period. However, it’s worth noting that your HVACs SEER rating is arrived at after calculating the power output and energy consumed over an entire cooling season, not a single day.

All states have a minimum SEER rating for HVAC systems, usually 13 or 14. Residents cannot install HVACs with SEER ratings below the stipulated figure. However, it’s still a good idea to check with your HVAC installer to know whether your HVAC’s SEER rating aligns with your state’s requirements.

Keep in mind that the SEER rating is your HVAC’s maximum efficiency rating. It’s the highest cooling output your HVAC system can produce with a single unit of power. This means your HVAC doesn’t continuously operate at its SEER rating. The figure could be lower depending on the state of your HVAC and other external factors like temperature and humidity.

Why is Your HVACs SEER Rating So Important?

As mentioned above, the higher the SEER rating, the more efficient your HVAC is. An efficient HVAC can help you save a bundle in energy costs every year. Most states have a minimum SEER rating requirement of 13, but modern HVAC can top an HVAC rating of 21. As you’d expect, HVACs with higher SEER ratings tend to be more expensive than their counterparts.

A higher SEER rating is critical because:

• It Cuts your energy spending by a significant bundle and helps you save a ton of cash every year
• It ensures your home remains cool and comfortable through the coldest months of the year without stressing your HVAC

Although HVACs with higher SEER ratings might be more expensive, they’re definitely worth the extra cash. The long-term savings and the unmatched comfort ensure you get bang for the buck.

What’s a Good SEER Rating?

Well, there’s no good SEER rating because what you can term as a “good” rating depends on your current situation. That said, anything above 14 is good, but upgrading to an HVAC with a higher rating wouldn’t hurt. Remember, the higher you go, the better it is for you.

Get an HVAC with a High SEER Rating Today

You can experience a lot of savings if you get an HVAC system with a high SEER rating. There are many options to pick from, so make sure you find one that fits your budget and suits your needs.

If you plan to replace a pre-existing HVAC with one that has a higher SEER rating, feel free to contact our HVAC installation experts here at The Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating. We’ll help you do the installation right.