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

SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. In summary, it looks at how productive your air conditioner is at changing electricity into cold air. A greater number indicates your air conditioner is more efficient, which is good for your electric bills.

However, there are lots of varying solutions out there for air conditioners. And a greater SEER rating frequently involves a bigger cost. So, how can you find out which one is right for your home?

At MPC Heating & Cooling, we give you a free, no-pressure home comfort analysis. You can get one by contacting us at 308-832-4321. Our skilled air conditioner installers will collaborate with you to help you pick the right air conditioner for your family. Plus, they’ll also give you a free, no-obligation estimate.

In the meantime, let’s discuss SEER ratings and how they can influence your loved ones’ comfort. And your electrical costs.

What Does the SEER Rating Really Matter?

In 2016, the federal government developed new SEER guidelines. New air conditioners are required to be at baseline 13 SEER in the northern United States and 14 SEER in the southeast and southwest. If you’re not sure when you had your air conditioner replaced or what its SEER number is, you can locate the sticker on the system outside your house. If you can’t find the sticker, you can give us a call at 308-832-4321 for support.

If your air conditioner was installed prior to that time, it’s presumably much less efficient. Cooling technology has swiftly changed in the past couple of years, with major breakthroughs in energy efficiency and smart home capability. Connecting your new air conditioner with a smart thermostat could help you spend less on air conditioning costs, because the thermostat can intuitively regulate your temperature settings when you’re gone.

If your existing air conditioner has a SEER rating between 8 and 10, installing a 14-SEER system could save you around 30–50% on annual electrical bills. Your savings are tied to your air conditioner size and your temperature settings.

Is the highest SEER Rating the Best?

An air conditioner with a better SEER rating will be more efficient at using electricity for cooling. The best efficient systems, which can go as high as 26 SEER, include ENERGY STAR® designation. This designation shows the air conditioner meets EPA requirements for energy savings and environmental conservation.

While ENERGY STAR air conditioners are frequently pricier, you’ll generally get the difference returned over time through reduced utility bills. These air conditioners, which are frequently rated 16 SEER and better, use about 8% less electricity than other new units, according to ENERGY STAR.

One of the biggest differences between a 14 SEER and 16 SEER is variable-speed capacity. A variable-speed air conditioner can work at different speeds. This fine-tunes comfort for your house while keeping your electric costs low. It can also keep temperatures and humidity more balanced, since it can go for longer without requiring a lot more electricity.

When installing a variable-speed air conditioner, you’ll want to ensure that your furnace or air handler is compatible. This is due to the fact your air conditioner depends on this equipment’s blower to distribute chilled air throughout your home. Furnaces only last for about 20 years, so if yours is getting old, we advise getting furnace installation at the same time so you can receive all the advantages of your variable-speed air conditioner.

When you’re set to replace your air conditioner, the cooling specialists at MPC Heating & Cooling are available to help. Reach us at 308-832-4321 to book your free home comfort analysis now.