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

SEER is short for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. In summary, it looks at how capable your air conditioner is at converting electricity into cooled air. A high number signifies your air conditioner is more efficient, which is excellent for your cooling expenses.

However, there are lots of differing options on the market for air conditioners. And a higher SEER rating usually involves a higher cost. So, how can you determine which one is best for your residence?

At Morgner Inc. Air Conditioning & Heating, we offer a free, no-pressure home comfort analysis. You can book one by contacting us at 314-262-4541. Our experienced air conditioner installers will work with you to help you choose the right air conditioner for your budget. Plus, they’ll also offer you a free, no-obligation estimate.

Right now, let’s review SEER ratings and how they can influence your family’s comfort. And your electric bills.

What Does the SEER Rating Even Matter?

In 2016, the federal government created new SEER criteria. New air conditioners are required to be at baseline 13 SEER in the northernmost United States and 14 SEER in the southeast and southwest. If you’re unsure when you had your air conditioner installed or what its SEER number is, you can find the sticker on the system outside your home. If you can’t locate the sticker, you can give us a call at 314-262-4541 for support.

If your air conditioner was replaced in advance of that date, it’s likely much less efficient. Air conditioner technology has quickly advanced in the past few years, with huge breakthroughs in energy efficiency and smart home capacity. Connecting your new air conditioner with a smart thermostat could help you conserve more on electrical costs, because the thermostat can seamlessly manage your temperature settings when you’re away.

If your present air conditioner has a SEER rating between 8 and 10, adding a 14-SEER system could save you around 30–50% on annual air conditioning bills. Your savings relate to your air conditioner size and your thermostat settings.

Is a Higher SEER Rating Always Better?

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

While ENERGY STAR air conditioners are frequently more expensive, you’ll usually get the difference back over the years through cheaper electrical expenses. These air conditioners, which are frequently rated 16 SEER and up, need about 8% less electricity than other new units, according to ENERGY STAR.

One of the greatest differences between a 14 SEER and 16 SEER is variable-speed capacity. A variable-speed air conditioner can work at a number of speeds. This fine-tunes comfort for your residence while keeping your electric expenses reduced. It can also keep temperatures and humidity more even, since it can run for longer without consuming a lot more energy.

When installing a variable-speed air conditioner, you’ll have to make sure that your furnace or air handler is compatible. This is due to the fact your air conditioner depends on this system’s blower to send cold air throughout your home. Furnaces only last for about 20 years, so if yours is around that mark, we advise getting furnace installation at the same time so you can enjoy all the perks of your variable-speed air conditioner.

When you’re set to replace your air conditioner, the cooling specialists at Morgner Inc. Air Conditioning & Heating are here to help. Give us a call at 314-262-4541 to schedule your free home comfort analysis right away.