Is a High-Efficiency AC Worth It? The Truth About SEER Ratings, Comfort, and Energy Savings

When choosing an air conditioner, the SEER rating is a key factor. SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, and it represents how much energy your AC will use in a typical cooling season. A higher SEER rating means better efficiency—and a higher upfront cost.  A high-efficiency AC or heat pump can save you money on electricity, but are the savings worth the price?

Energy Efficiency Ratings: SEER and HSPF

Every air conditioner or heat pump has a SEER rating. A higher SEER number means your AC will use less electricity to cool your home. Heat pumps have a second rating – HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor), which measures heating efficiency. Like SEER, a higher HSPF number means less energy consumption.

When we quote a new system at Kobie Complete, we show our customers a few options with different SEER and HSPF ratings. In general, the higher the SEER rating, the more expensive the air conditioner or heat pump.

The Most Efficient Air Conditioner or Heat Pump

Every major AC brand offers models in a range of efficiency levels. Here are some examples of high efficiency options (as of November 2024):

NOTE: New systems now use SEER2, an updated version of SEER introduced in 2023. For simplicity, except for the examples above, we’ll refer to SEER2 as “SEER” and HSPF2 as “HSPF” in this article. To learn more, read this article about 2023 AC efficiency standards.

Mini Splits: Higher SEER Ratings Than Central AC

Some mini split air conditioner and heat pump models have SEER ratings up to 27 and beyond. However, these units are designed for smaller spaces. They may not be ideal for whole homes.

The Least Efficient Air Conditioner

For comparison, the least efficient AC you can buy in Florida and other southeastern states has a SEER2 rating of 14.3. There is a different minimum standard for the Southwest and Northern regions (see this AC Energy Efficiency map and table). Many older systems could have lower SEER ratings, but such systems are no longer available for purchase.

How Much Can a High-Efficiency AC Save You?

Calculating exact savings can be complex, especially with the new SEER2 ratings. To make things easier, Kobie Complete offers a free SEER Savings Calculator. Here’s how it works:

1. Choose your air conditioner’s tonnage. (If you’re not sure, try our BTU/Tonnage Calculator.)
2. Set the SEER rating of your current AC.
3. Choose the SEER2 rating for the new AC you’re considering.

The calculator then estimates:

• Annual energy usage of your current and new AC
• Annual energy cost savings percentage
• Total savings over 5, 10, and 15 years

Try the SEER Calculator

Factors That Affect Energy Savings

While the SEER Energy Savings Calculator is a fun and informative tool (if we do say so ourselves), it gives you an estimate based on average electricity prices and cooling hours in your area. But several factors can impact your actual energy savings:

1. Sizing: Your AC must be the right size for your home. A unit that’s too big or too small will be less efficient.
2. Installation: Proper installation is essential. Choose a trusted, local, licensed, and insured company to ensure quality work.
3. Matching: All components of your AC system must match according to AHRI (Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute) standards. This includes the indoor unit (evaporator coil – air handler) and outdoor unit (condensing coil – compressor).
4. Ductwork: Leaky ducts can cause your AC to work harder, reducing efficiency. Sealing leaks can improve performance.
5. Maintenance: Even simple things like changing the filter can impact your AC’s efficiency. Keeping up with this and several other aspects of AC maintenance is key to unlocking performance. Many companies, including ours, offer maintenance specials and packages.

Benefits of a High-Efficiency AC You May Not Have Considered

When we think about big purchases like an air conditioner, it’s not all about energy savings. High-efficiency systems often come with added benefits that can make them worth the cost.

First, these units often include features that keep your home comfortable, like two-stage or variable-speed technology. These features help keep the temperature steady, improve air filtration, and provide better humidity control. Many high-efficiency AC units also run more quietly than less efficient single-stage systems.

Another benefit is the extended warranty coverage most well-known brands include with their high-end AC and heat pump models.  Many of these units come with 10- to 20-year or even lifetime warranties on certain components, compared to the 5- to 10-year warranties (or less) often found on entry-level and mid-tier models. (Be sure to ask your local dealer about warranty upgrades.)  Since high-efficiency models tend to have more advanced parts that may require repairs, the more robust warranties can help offset future repair costs.

Finally, using less energy is good for the environment. High-efficiency units use less electricity, helping reduce overall energy demand. If eco-friendliness is a priority, this can be a big advantage.

In Conclusion: Is a High-Efficiency AC Worth the Price?

Choosing a high-efficiency air conditioner can lower your electricity bill, but it may come with a higher upfront cost. However, there are other benefits beyond energy savings.

Think about it like buying a new mattress. Any mattress will let you sleep, but a higher end one might have features like cooling technology, better support, or adjustable firmness that improve sleep quality. Similarly, a high-efficiency AC system may offer features that improve your comfort, even if the energy savings alone don’t cover the extra cost.

Which AC system is best for your home? It all depends on your priorities. With an AC, factors like energy savings, environmental impact, and home comfort are all worth considering.

Based on a blog post titled “The Truth about SEER Ratings and Energy Savings”, published on June 25, 2013.