Purchasing a new air conditioner for your home is not something to do on a whim. Research and professional consultations are essential to help you choose the best air conditioner to meet your needs. One factor that you don’t want to overlook is the appliance’s SEER2 rating.
What Is SEER2?
SEER stands for seasonal energy efficiency ratio. SEER2 became the new standard for air conditioners produced starting Jan. 1, 2023, replacing the old SEER rating system. SEER2 represents more realistic testing conditions, so
homeowners can better identify the average operating efficiency of the appliance.
The original SEER depicted a unit’s operating efficiency under peak environmental conditions that didn’t accurately represent typical operation for many homeowners. SEER is like stating the record performance of an athlete, while SEER2 is the standard performance level you can expect.
SEER2 depicts how energy-efficient a particular air conditioner is. The higher the rating, the more efficient the unit is and the more energy savings you can enjoy throughout the summer.
SEER2 Rating Scale
SEER2 ratings range from a low of 13 up to 25 or higher for extremely efficient AC models. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has set minimum SEER2 standards for all residential air conditioners, regardless of whether it’s a central air conditioner or a heat pump. The United States has three different regulatory regions: North, Southwest, and Southeast.
The rules for Florida, the rest of the Southeast, and the Southwest are:
- SEER2 rating of at least 14.3 for all residential central air systems below 45,000 BTU
- SEER2 rating of at least 13.8 for all residential central air systems 45,000 BTU and above
- SEER2 rating of at least 14.3 for all heat pumps
Guidelines for the Northern region are a SEER2 rating of at least 13.4 for all residential air systems and at least 14.3 for heat pumps. The SEER2 minimums for southern states are higher than those for northern ones because
people in the warmer southern climates are going to be using their air conditioners more often and for longer than those in the cooler northern regions.
Low, Mid, and High-Efficiency Units
Residential air conditioners come in three efficiency categories: low, mid, and high. Low-efficiency units meet the bare minimum standards of 13.4 to 14.3, depending on where you live. Mid-range models offer a good blend of operating efficiency and affordability. They have SEER2 ratings between 15 and 18. High-efficiency air conditioners have SEER2 ratings ranging from 19 to 25 or higher. These units are the most expensive but have the lowest operating costs of the bunch.
Up-Front vs. Ongoing Costs
When choosing a new air conditioner to install for your home, SEER2 ratings can help you make a better decision regarding the up-front and ongoing costs of your new appliance. If you happen to live in a hotter climate, choosing an air conditioner with a higher SEER2 rating can help you reduce your summertime cooling bills but will require you to invest more up front.
However, if you plan on selling your home soon, the majority of your concerns may lie with the up-front cost and not so much with the ongoing costs. In this scenario, you may want to purchase a low-efficiency model that’s cheaper.
Tax Incentives
Another way SEER2 ratings can affect your purchasing decision is regarding the federal tax credits and state and local incentives for which certain units can make you eligible. One of the best-known federal tax credits began with the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.
To qualify for this tax incentive, a new central air conditioner must have a SEER2 rating of 16. Air-source heat pumps and ductless mini-splits need a minimum of 15.2 SEER2. It can be helpful to check with a local utility company offering incentives to determine their minimum standard requirement.
Top Benefits of High SEER2 Rating
Deciding to purchase an air conditioner with a high SEER2 rating can provide you with a wealth of benefits. The most obvious will be a significant reduction in your energy consumption over the summer months. Because your unit will use less energy, it can do wonders for reducing your household’s carbon footprint and is more friendly to the environment. High SEER2 systems often come with enhanced humidity management technology, too, which can lead to a more comfortable indoor environment.
Expert AC Installation Service
Poulin Cooling provides expert AC installation service to the Clearwater, FL area. Our technicians can also help with all your cooling system maintenance, replacement, and repair needs. Our HVAC Maintenance Membership Plans make it easy to keep up with scheduling and include other perks and discounts.
Call us today at Poulin Cooling to schedule your next service consultation.
