SEER rating, BTU, energy efficiency—what does it all mean? And why are these things important? For all homeowners, especially if you have a central cooling and/or heating system, these are useful concepts to know about. If you’ve been wondering, “What is a SEER rating, and what is a good rating to aim for with HVAC equipment?”, we have all the information you need.
What Is SEER Rating?
The U.S. Department of Energy uses the SEER rating to evaluate the energy efficiency of HVAC equipment. SEER stands for “seasonal energy efficiency ratio.” The higher the rating, the more efficiently the cooling system will operate. The SEER rating system is a way to ensure all HVAC equipment sold and installed in the U.S. meets a defined minimum standard. SEER ratings also help consumers make informed purchasing decisions.
How SEER Measures Energy Efficiency
The SEER rating of an HVAC unit measures its energy efficiency. It’s equal to the total cooling output of the system, divided by the amount of power the system uses during the cooling season. The cooling season means the warm months of the year.
This is measured via the relationship of British thermal units (BTU) produced to watt-hours of energy consumed. The British thermal unit is a unit of heat. It’s used in many countries around the world to measure heat in various systems, including furnaces and water heaters, as well as air conditioners.
For air conditioning, BTU is used in addition to or instead of “tons of cooling” to describe how powerful the unit is. One ton of cooling is equal to 12,000 BTU/hour. This can provide cooling for a space of 450 to 550 square feet. This means the higher the SEER rating, the more BTUs are produced per watt-hour of energy consumed. Or to put it more simply: The higher the SEER, the more cooling or heating power you get per hour of use.
Why Does SEER Rating Matter?
For consumers and homeowners, SEER ratings are useful because they give you a way to compare different systems. For instance, if you compare two AC units with similar cooling power, the SEER rating lets you know right away which is the most energy efficient system.
SEER gives you a way to compare the energy efficiency of different HVAC systems. It’s more information to help you make purchasing choices that meet the needs of your home and family.
What Is a Good SEER Rating for HVAC Equipment?
SEER ratings let you compare energy efficiency, and the higher the SEER, the more energy efficient that system is. But what does that mean for your home?
Minimum SEER ratings are set at a level that provides adequate energy efficiency for most homes. In most parts of the country, a SEER rating of 15 to 17 is good to aim for. In some cases there are benefits to choosing a cooling system with a higher SEER rating than this.
One reason to go for a higher SEER is increased energy efficiency. The higher the SEER rating, the more energy efficient system you have. This means reduced energy usage and lower utility bills. While higher SEER ratings do mean paying more upfront, the extra cost is recouped in lower energy bills over the life of the system. This doesn’t mean you need to go all out and get a SEER 25 system, but there is value in upgrading if your current system is SEER 14 or lower.
Another reason to choose a higher SEER rating is if you have a mini split system or a heat pump. These systems are less efficient in very cold or very hot temperatures. If you live in an area with extreme temperatures—below freezing in winter or above 95° to 100° in summer—it’s better to go for a higher SEER rating.
Finally, if you use your HVAC a lot—either for heating or cooling—then a high SEER rating is almost always beneficial. The more you use the system, the more it makes sense to go for a high-efficiency option because it maximizes your energy savings.
What Is the Difference Between SEER Rating and Energy Star Rating?
Both SEER and Energy Star rating systems are ways of measuring energy efficiency, but they’re not exactly the same.
The main thing to know is that if an appliance has the Energy Star designation, it meets energy efficiency criteria set by either the Department of Energy or the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Energy Star appliances use less energy and have fewer emissions compared to similar standard-model appliances. For instance, furnaces that have the Energy Star designation are at least 15% more efficient than the minimum federal standard.
Another difference is that while SEER rating applies only to HVAC systems, the Energy Star rating applies to a range of different appliances. These include:
- Refrigerators
- TVs
- Office equipment
- Laundry appliances
- Dishwashers
- Furnaces
- Heat pumps
- AC units
For central air, a system must have a SEER2 rating of at least 15.2 in order to be eligible for Energy Star status.
Need to Know: SEER Changes in 2023
Increase in Minimum SEER Rating
SEER ratings were first introduced in the 1990s, based on legislation passed in the late 1980s. At that time, all HVAC units were required by law to have a SEER rating of 10 or higher. Over the years minimum SEER ratings have been increased to reflect improvements in HVAC technology. As tech has improved, SEER rating increases have allowed homeowners to benefit from lower energy usage and reduced utility bills.
Starting January 1, 2023, the minimum SEER rating increased again. The new minimum SEER is 14 in northern states and 15 in southern states. For Texas residents, the law requires that all new HVAC installations must have a SEER rating of at least 15. This covers all kinds of heating and cooling systems and components, including mini split systems and heat pumps, as well as forced air central air conditioner systems.
If you currently have a SEER 14 HVAC system in your home, don’t worry: You’re not required to upgrade immediately. This change applies only to new installations; it doesn’t apply to any HVAC system installed in 2022 or earlier. When you do install a new HVAC system, it will have a SEER rating of 15 or higher. HVAC equipment with lower SEER ratings will no longer be available to purchase.
Switch to SEER2 Testing System
Another change that now applies to HVAC equipment is the development of a new SEER2 rating, which gives a more accurate rating of HVAC efficiency. This doesn’t have a direct effect on homeowners, as the development of SEER2 is more about how manufacturers design and test HVAC equipment. It does mean new HVAC equipment is rated more accurately. This helps homeowners make better purchasing choices.
Did Price Increase Too?
The changes to SEER ratings mean all HVAC manufacturers had to redesign and retest their products to ensure they meet the new guidelines. As you might expect, this has associated costs—some of which are passed on to consumers.
This isn’t 100% bad news. While the upfront cost of installing a new HVAC system increases, it also means your new system is more efficient, resulting in lower energy bills. Your ongoing energy savings and reduced energy bills will let you recoup the additional cost of the new system.
For Heating and Cooling Your Home, Call CW Service Pros
Understanding SEER ratings can help you choose the best HVAC system for your home. CW Service Pros can help you get that system installed and keep it well-maintained and operating at its best. Call today for heating and cooling installation, maintenance, and repair services.