Choosing the SEER rating of Air Conditioning System Replacement

From your Air Conditioning Replacement Contractor serving Allen TX & the Surrounding Area

Not all air-conditioning systems are created equal. At the lower end are the systems that required less upfront cost, but require more electricity and result in higher utility bills. At the higher end are high efficient systems which save on utility costs, but will require more upfront costs. Saving energy is a good idea, but is it worth the higher initial cost? We have written this article to help you make the best decision when purchasing a new air conditioning system.

Let’s start with the basic question… What is SEER Rating?

SEER stands for “Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating”. The SEER rating of a unit is the cooling output during a typical cooling-season divided by the total electric energy input during the same period. The higher the unit's SEER rating the more energy efficient it is. Bottom Line: In laymen’s terms - SEER means how much does this air conditioning system cost to operate. The higher the SEER rating the less energy the air conditioning system needs to operate. For example, an average home with a 3-ton air conditioning system and an electric rate of $0.12 per Kilowatt-hour would save an estimated $737 by purchasing a higher-efficiency 15 SEER system, compared to a 13 SEER system. Over the life of the system the energy savings more than makes up for the additional upfront costs in purchase pric

However, the benefits of higher efficiency air conditioners go beyond simple dollars and cents. We have noted below some of the additional benefits of purchasing higher efficiency air conditioning systems.

1. Lower Utility Bills – High efficiency systems with higher SEER ratings use less energy, which translates to less money you spend on energy bills. In fact, switching from an old 8 SEER unit to a 16 SEER can save you up to 50% on what it currently costs you to run your 8 SEER system. You can view the photo attached with this article to see the energy savings difference on the various SEER rating. Bottom line: higher efficiency = lower bills.

2. Better performance- High efficiency air conditioning systems typically have options like variable speed furnaces and some equipment offers two stage compressors that not only allow them to consume less energy, but also make your home more comfortable. Features like these will allow for even cooling and less temperature swings in your home.

3. Longer operating life- Because high efficiency air conditioners are built to minimize on-and-off cycling and maximize efficiency, they typically experience less needs for repairs and longer operating lives than lower-efficiency units.

4. No worries about Freon- With the rising costs and phasing out of R-22 refrigerant, all new high efficiency air conditioners will use the latest environmentally-friendly R-410a refrigerant.

5. Humidity – High efficiency systems are not only designed to keep the air at the preferred temperature, but more effectively remove humidity in the home. Variable speed systems typically run longer cycles at lower pressures, helping to cool the air comfortably. By removing more humidity from the air, it could allow you to raise your thermostat but still feel the same comfort level.

In addition to the above benefits, a home with a high efficiency air conditioning system can be attractive to a potential buyer if you’re looking to sell. You’ll be passing on the monthly savings to them!

Our Recommendation - While we highly recommend the installation of higher efficiency systems that utilize less energy, save you money, and provide better humidity control, we wouldn’t recommend you buy the biggest, highest SEER-rated unit possible without consulting your HVAC contractor. An HVAC contractor can properly access and recommend the best size system for your home. We’d love to hear from you and help you make the best decision if you’re looking to replace your old air conditioning system with a new higher efficiency system. We offer free in home estimates on all equipment replacement and can discuss in depth the benefits of all varieties of equipment

At Air Comfort Solutions we provide air conditioning replacement services throughout Dallas, Collin, and Grayson Counties to include; but not limited to, Allen, McKinney, Frisco, Plano, Richardson, Sherman, and the surrounding areas. You can always reach us at 972-816-5997 or visit our website www.acsolutionstx.com.