Image

McCutcheon Air Conditioning and Heating Blog

How are the new SEER2 standards going to affect you?

SEER-blog

Bottom Line: New energy efficiency standards for air conditioners, heat pumps and furnaces are going into effect this January 1, 2023 and that means air conditioning prices are going up so, if you’re about due for a new air conditioning system, there’s really no time like the present!

If you’ve purchased an air conditioning unit in the past 30, you’ve probably noticed the big yellow sticker labeled “ENERGY GUIDE” that points down to an “Efficiency Rating” or SEER.

SEER (which stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) is the ratio of cooling output (the BTUs) of a particular HVAC system, over a typical cooling season, divided by the electricity input (the watt hours) used in the same time period. Similar to your vehicle’s MPG rating, the higher the SEER rating, the more energy efficient the air conditioning unit.

The Department of Energy (DOE) has enforced minimum SEER requirements since 1992, but starting January 1, 2023, they’re changing the way HVAC systems are tested.

Why are they changing the way HVAC systems are tested now?

Well, just like your MPG ratings, SEER ratings are affected by real-world conditions (you’re probably not getting the MPG rating on the window sticker if most of your driving is in stop-and-go traffic).

Current SEER testing does not accurately reflect real-world conditions (like poorly designed ductwork). SEER2 uses a new testing procedure that more accurately reflects real-world conditions and it demands a lower energy efficiency rating so, essentially, you have to get a better grade on a harder test.

What does that mean for my new air conditioner?

The DOE divides the U.S into 3 regions (North, Southeast, and Southwest). In the Southwest and Southeast regions, which includes Florida, all air conditioners sold and installed on or after January 1, 2023 must meet the new SEER2 efficiency standards.

To meet SEER2 requirements in the Southeast Region, residential central air conditioning systems below 45,000 BTUs must have a SEER2 rating of 14.3, residential systems with 45,000 BTUs or more must have a SEER2 rating of 13.8, and heat pumps (in all regions), must have a SEER2 rating of 14.3.

More efficient units are more expensive to manufacture which means that prices will be going up in 2023. Carrier, York, and Lennox have already told us that their prices are going up in the spring of 2023, but these changes affect all manufacturers, so price increases are inevitable – across the board.

If you’re about due for a new air conditioning system, call 941-921-7208 (while you can still get 2022 units and prices) and let one of our comfort consultants walk you through all your options.

Continue reading
  9105 Hits
25 October 2024
AC Blog
If your air conditioner is screaming or hissing at you, it probably isn’t full of ghosts, but it’s definitely trying to tell you something… If you live in Florida, you’re probably in a committed relationship with your AC, and you want that relationsh...
23 July 2024
AC Blog
Ensure your air conditioning stays safe from power surges. Invest in a high-quality surge protector from Sean McCutcheon's Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. It could save you hundreds of dollars in repair or replacement costs. What is a surge protec...
28 March 2024
AC Blog
You’ve probably heard by now, that Smart Thermostats can reduce your HVAC-related energy consumption by a lot, but energy savings are just the beginning… Before we get into all the bells and whistles, let’s begin by defining our terms… There are 3 ba...
23 January 2024
AC Blog
When it comes to replacing your old air conditioning system in the (usually) balmy Sarasota area, you can turn that old “get it while it’s hot” idiom right on its head… Here in the Suncoast, heating and air conditioning companies are less busy in the...
21 April 2023
AC Blog
In addition to its stated aim of curbing inflation, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) which was signed into law in August of 2022, is the largest federal investment to fight climate change in U.S. history. It accomplishes this by offering tax credits...
30 January 2019
AC Blog
Since 2016 Sean McCutcheon’s Air Conditioning and Heating has been working hard to help consumers avoid predatory contractors. We even created a humorous video series featuring the fictional A.C. Wint...
10 April 2017
AC Blog
2017 Sarasota Herald Tribune Readers Choice Finalist.