In January of 2023, the HVAC industry changed with new standards and ways to measure efficiency. The SEER measurement was essentially upgraded to SEER2 which made it so that the standards were quickly raised for what constituted an energy-efficient air conditioner.
If this is the first time you’ve heard about the SEER2 regulations, don’t be alarmed. Many people are far too busy to be up to date on the ins and outs of the HVAC industry, let alone why these decisions are made. But that’s what we’re here for!
Air conditioning in Cedar Rapids, IA can be complicated, but we hope to make things a bit easier for our customers. Follow along to learn about the new SEER2 regulations and what that means for your old or outdated air conditioner.
The Decision to Replace
New SEER2 changes mean older and outdated air conditioners are no longer as valuable and efficient as they used to be. This is a big deal because it means that a system that’s been working dutifully for 10-15 years in your home might now be the perfect target for a replacement.
We know that replacements are expensive, and if the system works, the new regulations don’t affect you yet. But if the unit is running inefficiently, you could be wasting money month after month while the system is on borrowed time. It can’t last forever, and it will eventually break down entirely, which means you might be better off getting it replaced now.
And the good news is that with new SEER2 guidelines, the choice to replace it is much easier to make with so many highly efficient and powerful systems on the market.
How Efficient Is a New SEER2 System?
The minimum standard for air conditioning systems in the SEER2 system is 13.4 in our area, which signifies the lowest efficiency level an AC can be. If you have an older air conditioner, you could be getting efficiency levels that are even lower than this.
If you replace this system with a newer, higher SEER2 value system, you might be getting some serious savings. Here’s an example.
An Upgrade
Newer AC models can have SEER2 ratings anywhere between 13.4 and 21. Let’s say you splurge on a new AC system with a SEER rating of 19, and your old system is running at 13-14. This is around a 25% increase in efficiency, which could mean saving a quarter of your recurring energy bill or more every month.
As an example, if you’re spending $100 a month on energy for your AC, a highly efficient AC with 19 SEER2 compared to 13-14 would turn that into $75 every month. You could save this much money every single month, and with routine maintenance, you’d get this return for the next decade or more!
Want to know more about the returns you might get with a new, high-efficiency AC upgrade? Talk with our team of experts to do the math and see the incentives for improving your home efficiency.
At Dalton Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, Electric and Fireplaces, Inc., your comfort is our promise! To set up an appointment in the Cedar Rapids area, give us a call at the number above, email customerservice@daltonphc.com or schedule an appointment online.