These efficiency ratings are calculated using different metrics. Here in Phoenix, you are required to have a minimum 14 SEER rating. (+ AC Size Calculator). Learn about our energy efficient innovations that can help you save on your heating & cooling energy expenses, while ensuring your home is comfortable. The average residential cost of electricity in Phoenix is 12 cents per kWh. = 4.5 x CFM x h (std. Uneven heating and cooling, like hot and cold spots, Increased humidity, which often means you feel hotter. Learn how to choose and maintain your HVAC system. However, the higher efficiency comes at a cost. Home / Articles that Educate / Deciding Between 14 SEER and 16 SEER. Higher efficiency heat pumps will cost more than mid- or standard-efficiency models. The result will be a higher electric bill and an uncomfortable home as well. The single-stage models will run the same as the 14 SEER above, just with a little more efficiency. The SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio and is a rating scale system for measuring air conditioner efficiency in small, easy-to-understand numbers. Each type has its own set of advantages, and all can be an effective solution, depending upon your needs, the design of the home, and your budget. You may also see EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio) cooling efficiency for ductless mini-splits and geothermal heat pump systems, and COP (Coefficient of Performance) for geothermal heat pump heating efficiency. Watts To Volts Converter (W to V): Calculator + Conversion Chart. Additionally, some HOAs or local codes may require you to use quieter systems depending on the proximity of homes. While a larger home often requires a larger capacity heat pump, there are many factors involved, so sizing should be left to a qualified HVAC technician. These units have two capacities which creates: The higher the SEER rating, the higher the price tag. A heat pump is considered to be energy efficient because it heats and cools an area by moving heat rather than converting it from another fuel source. (Out Of Vents Temperature), How Much Does It Cost To Run A Mini Split? The key problem we face is this: 16 SEER is more energy-efficient than 14 SEER unit. While SEER 14 is good for most homes, systems that are high efficiency are worth looking at. Make sure your attic and walls are well-insulated. 4 Best Outdoor Portable Tankless Water Heaters For Camping, RVs, etc. The average efficiency rating for a central air conditioner in operation today is 16 but high energy-efficient models can have ratings as high as 23. Which one should you buy 16 SEER or 14 SEER? Depending on your needs, though, the two-stage 16 SEER might be a game-changer. This comes in handy when you have to place the outdoor unit next to a bedroom window. We're ready to help! The SEER rating for your air conditioning unit will be listed on a sticker usually found on the exterior of the unit. According to the Kobie SEER Energy Savings Calculator, a 16 SEER unit uses about 13% less energy to produce the same amount of cooling as a 14 SEER unit of the same size. There are other factors such as insulation, windows, size of the home, ductwork, etc that weigh in on how efficient your air conditioning or heat pump is. No matter what you need were always just a phone call away. While energy pricing across the country fluctuates (and remember this is at maximum efficiency), a 14 percent savings would save you $13 to $14 for every $100 you spend on your energy bill now. Who are the Best Heating and Air Conditioning Companies in the Huntsville in the Huntsville / Madison County, Alabama Area? When it cant keep up the air conditioning system then it shifts into high gear until the temperature stabilizes, then downshifts to a more energy-efficient speed. In addition to the two-stage compressor, some 16 SEER units also have two-speed condensing fans and blower motors. Because a heat pump system acts like a central air conditioner when its hot outside, heat pump SEER ratings are a measure of a systems energy efficiency during cooling mode. After 10 years, we see that the 16 SEER unit has a total cost of $3,979, and the 14 SEER unit has a total cost of $3,761. The best place to look for a high SEER rated air conditioning or heat pump system is with your local HVAC company. All you need to keep in mind is thata higher SEER means a more efficient unit, cooling your home better and faster while saving you money on your electric bills. Give us a call today! 5,400,000 - 4,725,000 = 675,000 Watt-hours saved annually. It is a standard used to compare efficiencies of different heat pump units. Choosing to buy a higher SEER air conditioner or heat pump will depend on how much more efficient you want it to be.
The blower fan offers the same performance.
14 for the northern U.S. and 15 for the southern U.S. How Much Does It Cost to Install AC in My Home? The highest SEER rating is 22 and the minimum standard of today is 13. Much like miles-per-gallon for your car, a higher HSPF number equals a higher efficiency heat pump. Heat Pump vs Air Conditioner: Which is Right for You? The lower speeds can meet 80 percent of your cooling demands roughly half the time, so it will run more often. And by making your indoor unit a gas furnace, you can create a Hybrid Heat dual-fuel system that automatically chooses which fuel source gas or electric offers better energy efficiency for the conditions and temperatures outside.
Ultimately, there are a lot of factors to consider when choosing a new HVAC unit for your home. Air Conditioner EER Chart: Which AC Unit Is The Most Energy Efficient? There are two major advantages to this: fewer hot/cold areas and less humidity.
Is it worth investing in a higher SEER rated unit? With this information in hand, an HVAC pro will help you navigate the size, pricing, and SEER rating best suited for you and your home. The DOE estimates that most people in Phoenix use their AC about 2,100 hours annually. Determining the energy efficiency and cost savings HVAC system involves more than reading the SEER rating on the EnergyGuide sticker. Having two-speed fans adds to the benefits of the two-stage compressor. Input all the info in the calculator here: Lets look again at our example of two 24,000 BTU with 16 SEER and 14 SEER, costing $2,000 and $1,500, respectively. (2 Reasons), Heat Pump Efficiency Vs Temperature Graph (COP At 0F To 60F), Best Heat Pumps For Cold Climates In 2022 (Down To -22F), AC SEER Vs Tonnage: Why Are We Still Mixing Them Together? The change concerned primarily those states located in the south and southwest of the country. Additional advantages to efficient air conditioning include: Find other ways to maximize your savings with temperature control, sealing vents, and insulating your ducts. So when youre purchasing a new HVAC unit for your home, youll want to pay particular attention to its cooling efficiency and capability. Some of the rebates come from local utilities for heat pump SEER and HSPF ratings, so check with the power company in your area see whats available. But just like gas mileage, your ability to meet this maximum efficiency and savings depends on a lot of other factors. And if you want tax rebates, savings, or something high performance, there are even more factors to consider. The SEER rating is a universal rating to determine the energy efficiency of air conditioners. If you reside in northern states, your minimum SEER rating is currently 13 but by 2023 that will be raised to 14. Verdict: How Much More For 16 SEER Unit Still Makes Financial Sense? If you are replacing an existing system, chances are youll probably want to stick with a similar type of ducted system. Our technicians can perform a full inspection of your current system and your home and give you options. ), How Much Electricity (kWh) Do Air Conditioners Use? Through federal and state regulations, this minimum level of efficiency has been mandated to be higher over the last few decades, and todays modern units offer SEER ratings from 13 to 26. But it does cost $500 more. However, if your compressor on a 21 SEER system fails (again without a warranty), the repair costs start at $2000. The SEER looks at the expected energy efficiency for an entire season, testing efficiency at temperatures ranging from 65 to 104 degrees while EER only determines energy efficiency at 95 degrees. Additional reading: Heat Pump vs Air Conditioner: Which is Right for You? When figuring out which unit to buy 16 SEER vs. 14 SEER air conditioner the answer (seems to be) very simple. Request Service. However, those electricity savings youre getting with 16 SEER units do accumulate over time. Installation is fairly easy because no ductwork is required the indoor and outdoor units are simply connected by a small-diameter copper refrigerant line and wiring for power to the indoor unit. And, like many other rating metrics, the higher the number, the more efficient the system. Financing options are available with approved credit. 14 SEER: $1,500 for the unit and $2,261 for electricity in 10 years.
Lets break down the 16 SEER vs 14 SEER costs: This means the initial cost of unit + accumulated electricity costs (over 20 years) for the 16 SEER unit come to $65 less than for the 14 SEER unit. When not talking HVAC on the Jacobs Blog, you can find her on the golf course or whipping up her famous vegan chili. This should help prevent mold and mildew from forming and clear out more contaminants. 675 x 0.12 = $81. A 13 or 14 SEER rating doesnt necessarily mean a unit is inefficient. A unit that is oversized will sacrifice comfort and efficiency as well.
Multiply the rate of electricity by the amount of kWh. Power Consumption Calculator: How To Calculate Electricity Use? Ductless, air-source models are gaining popularity for heating or cooling room additions, older homes or spaces that dont have existing ductwork, or rooms where the ducted system struggles to maintain comfort. As stated, two of the most common choices for air conditioners and heat pumps are systems with efficiency levels of 14 SEER and 16 SEER. In fact, todays basic 14 SEER unit is about 20-30% more energy efficient than average HVAC units sold fifteen years ago. How Many Watts Do Air Conditioners Use? One of the most common questions we are asked here at Paschal is What is the difference between 14 SEER vs. 16 SEER?14 SEER & 16 SEER are two of the most commonly purchased system types for residential use in our area. For your convenience, follow the link to our HVAC Rebates page to see if there are rebates available in your area, and which models may qualify. 
And, both AC systems and heat pumps will work harder as temperatures rise outside. At the same time, this technology can also provide additional comfort benefits. This combination of letters could mean the difference in cost savings of several hundreds of dollars per month. HSPF is calculated using the total amount of heat provided during the heating season compared to the amount of electricity used by the heat pump during the same time frame, taking varying outdoor temperature conditions into account. Newer high-efficiency AC units are designed to run smoother and better. Have your AC evaporator coil cleaned and checked annually. While there is no right answer, there are plenty of options, and your individual priorities in each category will help you choose the system that is best for your family and your budget. Service DepartmentMonFri: 7am 5pm*Sat: Limited hours, call for availability*Service Technicians are on call 24/7, 2022 Jacobs Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. All rights reserved. Both SEER and EER are like a miles per gallon rating on an air conditioner giving you the highest expected amount of cooling per watt-hours of energy. list of mini-split AC units with the highest SEER ratings here, How Many BTU Air Conditioner Do You Need? As Northwest Arkansas, Fort Smith River Valley & Southwest Missouris HVAC pros, we can help you determine your estimated savings. If a heat pump is undersized, it will likely be incapable of effectively heating or cooling a space. (4 Hoseless Methods), How Cold Should An Air Conditioner Blow? This lets you compare air conditioning units and pick the one that best suits your needs. One difference that you may find between 14 SEER and 16 SEER units is that the 14 SEER units generally have a single-stage compressor while the 16 SEER units often have a two-stage compressor. 20F? We offer a variety of flexible financing options and well walk you through the process of how to pay for your new system. At Paschal, we earn our reputation every single day by providing you with an exceptional experience that goes above & beyond. Most people are trying to decide between a 14 SEER and 16 SEER. TheU.S. Department of Energyenforcesminimum SEER requirementsthat differ by geographical region. Electric companies charge by the kiloWatt-hour. Keep the drain channels clean to prevent clogs. With that being said, a 16 SEER unit will probably cost more to install, so it is essential to look at the numbers carefully. Minimum SEER efficiency: The Department of Energy has established 14 SEER as the minimum allowable cooling efficiency for residential, air-source, split-system heat pumps.
Because of this, heat pump efficiency ratings are published separately for heating and cooling functions. First, you should determine how long you plan to be in your home. Sizing is an important factor that not only affects your comfort, but directly impacts the efficiency of the system as well. 8 Best Commercial Dehumidifiers In 2022 (30+ Gallons/Day). The SEER rating of an HVAC unit is determined by dividing the total amount of cooling it produces in a season by the total amount of electricity needed for that cooling. Since each homes needs are different, a one size fits all SEER rating doesnt work for picking a high-efficiency air conditioner. Convert Watt-hours to kWh by dividing the number by 1,000. i.e. All central ACs were required to have a minimum SEER rating of 10 in 1992 and by 2006 that minimum was raised to 13. Surely electricity costs cant make up for such a huge difference, right? So how much difference is there between the efficiency of a 14 SEER unit and the efficiency of a 16 SEER unit? High efficiency heat pumps generally dehumidify better than standard models because they are designed to run nearly continuously and at different cooling output levels (or different speeds). If you are confused by SEER ratings, AC and heat pump options or simply need expert advice, a Jacobs Heating & Air Conditioning consultant can help. Todays newer air conditioners, particularly Energy Star certified ones, are a constantly evolving technology, making them more energy-efficient than previous models. This might be surprising for some homeowners. Youd save about $81 dollars annually by choosing the 16 SEER unit. In other words, if youre replacing an older, less-efficient HVAC, you could see a significant decrease in your energy bills with a 14 SEER unit. Please email us your question. Step 2: find the difference between the two: 14-SEER use - 16-SEER use = Energy savings The higher the rating, the more energy efficient the unit is. With the 16 SEER, you will still get the same technology as a 14 SEER but the advantage is the savings over the lifetime of the unit. SEER is calculated using the total amount of heat removed from the home during the cooling season, divided by the total number of hours the system operated during the same time frame. Because the cooling process helps remove humidity from indoor air, this means the higher efficiency heat pump spends more time dehumidifying indoor air (while consuming less energy). You can get long-lasting results by working with a professional Phoenix contractor. When your heat pump is acting as your homes heating system, efficiency ratings are published in terms of HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor). In the end, youll also find a quick verdict and some directions of when it pays off to have a unit with superior energy-efficiency. Thats why many air-source heat pump systems are installed with a supplemental heat source. As the most-trusted HVAC shop in Northwest Arkansas, Fort Smith River Valley & Southwest Missouri, we can help you figure out the right SEER rating for your situation. Once the outdoor temperature goes below 25 - 30 F, a heat pump can continue to provide heat.
