SEER Rating stands for a season-based energy efficiency ratio — a rating of efficiency for the normal cooling output of air conditioners, divided by the total energy intake. The greater the SEER rating, the more powerful the AC is, meaning that monthly energy costs are often lower. If you’re looking for a reliable substitute for air conditioning on a budget, you might discover that most choices are technically confusing. The more costly the installation will be, the higher the SEER rating.

Would SEER Rating Help You Save More Money in Energy Bills?

Although several criteria determine a decision, you should remember one thing: the higher the SEER rating for an air conditioning unit, the slower the energy meter is running, and the lower the SEER for an air conditioning unit, the faster the energy meter is going to work.

This means that lower-SEER AC systems might provide you with a greater energy charge each month. Most 10-year-old AC units have at best 10 SEER grades. However, they are likely to be under a 10 SEER rating if they are in bad shape.

How to Calculate the Costs of SEER Rating?

It’s helpful to know the electrical expenses connected with different air conditioners when comparing them. SEER ratings are, without a doubt, the most crucial parameter to consider when selecting an energy-efficient air conditioner. It’s critical to understand what a decent SEER rating for an air conditioner is.

You can use the process below to figure out how much electricity each air conditioner will cost each year. To calculate the power bill based on BTU and SEER rating, we use 1,000 hours of operation per year and 13.19 cents per kWh –

Input the BTU of an air conditioner, say 20,000 BTU, and modify the SEER rating as an exercise. For this example, below are the yearly electricity expenditures for various SEER ratings –

• 12 SEER = $219,83
• 14 SEER = $188,43
• 16 SEER = $164,88
• 18 SEER = $146,56
• 20 SEER = $131,90

As you can see, choosing the 20 SEER air conditioner over the 14 SEER air conditioner will save you $50+ a year. That’s $500 in ten years. Even if the 20 SEER is $200 more, it is well worth it. For example, a ductless mini-split air conditioner with a SEER rating of 20 or more is extremely energy efficient.

• Cost of running an 18 SEER 24,000 BTU air conditioner for 1,000 hours (kWh = $0.1319).
• Cost of running a 16 SEER 24,000 BTU air conditioner for 1,000 hours (kWh = $0.1319).

As shown in the examples, an air conditioner with these qualities will cost us –

• If the SEER rating is 18, the annual cost is $175.87.
• If the SEER rating is 16, the annual cost is $197.85.

Based on these figures, the difference between 18 SEER and 16 SEER is $197.85 – $175.87 = $21,98 per year. That’s a difference of nearly $220 in ten years. As a result, if an 18 SEER air conditioner costs $200 more than a 16 SEER one, the 18 SEER unit is a wise choice.

How much does the SEER rating difference save us? So, let’s do some math. In the United States, a kilowatt-hour (kWh) costs an average of 13,19 cents.

• Electricity cost for SEER 10 – (2,400,000 kWh x 13,19 cents)/1000 = $316,56/yr
• Electricity cost for SEER 20 – (1,200,000 kWh x 13,19 cents)/1000 = $158,28/yr

In short, even with a medium-sized 10,000 BTU portable air conditioner, you can save around $150 each year. In ten years, that’s $1,500.

A portable air conditioner usually costs less than $500. However, as we’ve seen with the SEER rating, a higher SEER air conditioner can quickly pay for itself by consuming less electricity.

Energy Cost Reduction Factors

Many other elements affect the provision of services. There is The order of significance listed is –

• The Isolation Level in Your Home

Summer heat can enter, warm up your house and get the CC running more than it would with sufficient isolation from an under-insulated duct. For additional information, read our attic insulation guide.

• How Well Your Pipes Are Screened

Air-conditioning escapes air when the ducts are faulty. Some people put a loss of up to 30%. When needed on your first floor and upper living rooms, refreshed air into the basement or attic is wasted.

• Additional Advancements in Energy Saving

Home wrapping, air gaps, foam sealant, triple-pane windows, windows and doors, and cool rooftops contribute to lower energy consumption during heating and cooling.

A higher SEER rating can pay for itself. While the higher air conditioner costs more at an early stage, the investment often is worthwhile. Despite the considerable price leap above SEER 14, an energy-efficient air conditioner can save a lot of energy in just a few years.

After just four years, even the obligatory rise from 13 to 14 SEER can be afforded. Recall that an average lifetime of approximately 15 years for a central air conditioning system. Once you make the difference, you will be able for the next 11 years to receive a return on your investment.

It’s important to understand that the new system must be fitted appropriately to reach the equipment’s intended SEER rating. When installing the newer higher SEER systems, many considerations must be considered. When a high SEER system is installed poorly, it might save very little or no energy. Reach out to the local AC services for help in getting a better deal on the cost of a new air conditioner.