When you invest in a new air conditioner, energy efficiency is probably top of mind. After all, if your air conditioner lasts for the average lifespan of 15 years, that is 180 energy bills you’ll have to pay. You probably want those energy bills to be as low as possible to save money – and we can help.
The best way to do that is to invest in a highly efficient air conditioner when you install a new unit. But how do you measure the efficiency of a new air conditioner? The good news is that the HVAC industry has standards in place to help you accurately estimate efficiency for your home.
If it’s time for a new air conditioner, you can give our team a call to schedule an air conditioning installation in Salt Lake City. You can also keep reading to learn more about the SEER2 efficiency scale and learn more about what it means for the Salt Lake City area specifically.
SEER2 in Salt Lake City
SEER is short for seasonal energy efficiency rating. Up until this year, there was a standard called SEER for measuring energy efficiency for air conditioners. But that rating methodology was outdated because it didn’t take many real-world factors into consideration. In January 2023 the SEER2 rating was introduced. In Salt Lake City the minimum SEER2 rating for any air conditioner is 14.
An air conditioner with a lower rating cannot be installed in the area. The higher the SEER2 rating, the better the overall efficiency. We usually recommend that you choose a unit with no less than 18 on the SEER2 scale. This offers high efficiency without having to spend significantly more on the most efficient air conditioners available which can carry hefty price tags compared to what’s more standard.
Benefits of High Efficiency
Higher efficiency means that less energy is required to produce results for your home and family. A high efficiency air conditioner offers a variety of benefits, including:
- Lower costs – The less energy that your AC uses to operate, the lower your costs will be each month. When you consider that a well cared for unit will last for 15-20 years, the savings can add up over the life of your air conditioner. Even saving just $10-$15 per month adds up to thousands of dollars over a couple of decades.
- Longer lifespan – Speaking of how long an air conditioner lasts, the average lifespan is around 15 years. A higher efficiency unit has a longer lifespan because it takes on less wear since it doesn’t have to work as hard as a less efficient alternative. Caring for your AC by investing in maintenance will also mean that the unit lasts for longer than the average.
- Comfort Levels – A more efficient air conditioner will also be able to keep your home more comfortable. It can cool your home down quicker while also removing adequate humidity so that the indoor air quality is better.
Cost Considerations for an Efficient HVAC System
We already mentioned that a high efficiency air conditioner costs more than a unit with a lower SEER2 rating. We understand that it can be difficult to justify spending sometimes thousands of dollars more on an air conditioner with a high SEER2 rating when a less expensive unit is perfectly acceptable. However, the savings that you will enjoy over the life of the unit may balance out the extra expense.
For example, if you spend $2,000 more on a high efficiency air conditioner and it lasts for an average of 15 years, you’d only have to save just $12 a month on energy costs to save more than the extra you spent on installation. You stand to save even more than just $12, especially when you are also conscientious of how you use your AC to maximize that efficiency.
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