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What SEER Rating Does My AC Unit Need to Be for My House?

SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio and is often a misunderstood concept amongst homeowners. The higher a SEER rating is, the more energy efficient the AC system is. Most of the confusion comes when making comparisons as shoppers. Which AC system should you choose? What is the right SEER rating?

Today, there are SEER ranges from 13 SEER (the federal minimum) to 23 SEER. You do want an efficient air conditioner system, or you will be forced to run the AC system far more frequently, ending up with a less chilled home and potentially a greater need for constant AC maintenance. However, you don’t necessarily need the highest.

The SEER Rating Formula

SEER is comprised of a formula that determines the actual SEER number. Knowing this can help you determine what SEER rating you need and whether or not you actually need the best SEER rating.

System’s Rated BTU divided by SEER rating = How many watts are consumed per hour. Using this formula can help you determine what rating SEER you need; however, we’ve created a quick cheat sheet chart to help you compare possibilities.

*HINT: Find out how many watts you would use at home over the course of a year to compare*

Cheat Sheet SEER Ratings Savings (based on a 3-ton system, 36,000 BTUs)

• 13 SEER = $805
• 14 SEER = $747.50
• 16 SEER = $632.50
• 23 SEER = $448.50

The monetary savings with the SEER rating is and should be one factor in your SEER rating choice. The trick here is to think about how long you plan to use the air conditioning system and what the warranty is on each system. It might not be worth it to buy the most efficient system if you only plan to use the AC unit for two years before replacing or moving to a new home. Of course, you should also look at the warranty. For AC units with warranties for less than five years, it may be best to go with the cheaper model.

When it comes to SEER ratings, you need the rating that can properly cool the size of your home at a price you can afford. There isn’t one right SEER rating for everyone. Asking an AC specialist at Penguin Air, Plumbing & Electrical to help you calculate the SEER rating for your home is a wise choice. If you are looking to replace your AC unit soon, make sure to speak with us to help you determine the right unit for your home first.

Contact us today if you need help determining the right AC unit for your house in Arizona!