Shopping for a new air conditioner or furnace can be stressful. If you want to find the best HVAC system for your home, it's understandable to look for models with extremely high efficiency ratings.
After all, the most efficient heating and cooling system should deliver the most comfort and lowest energy bills, right?
Not necessarily.
Energy efficiency isn't the only thing that matters when it comes to new air conditioner installation or replacing your furnace. While many homeowners focus only on {energy efficiency|efficiency ratings, proper {HVAC system sizing is equally, if not more important for your home's comfort and your utility bills.
Proper sizing also influences humidity control and lasting performance. The best HVAC system for your home balances energy efficiency and proper sizing.
In thisguide, we'll explain what an air conditioner's SEER rating or SEER2 rating actually measures, why proper HVAC system size is so important and why trusted HVAC experts consider both when helping you select the best HVAC system for your home.
What Does a High SEER Rating Actually Mean?
A SEER rating, (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio), shows how efficiently a cooling system cools your home over a normal cooling season. A SEER2 rating is the newer version of SEER, using testing methods that better reflect real-world operating conditions. Today’s new air conditioners have a SEER2 efficiency rating, simply because this rating is the current rating system for cooling equipment.
Fuel-burning heating system efficiency is evaluated by something called AFUE, which is for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. As with SEER and SEER2 ratings, higher AFUE ratings indicate a high-efficiency HVAC system that uses less electricity to keep you comfortable than lower-rated systems under standardized laboratory testing.
However, high numbers don't by themselves guarantee lower utility bills. Real-world heating and air conditioner efficiency depends on many factors, including the quality of the installation, the quality of your ductwork, your home's insulation, thermostat settings and, most importantly, system sizing. Even the highest-efficiency system cannot deliver peak performance if it is oversized or smaller than needed for the home.
Why Correct HVAC System Sizing Matters More Than You Think
Many assume a higher-capacity air conditioner or furnace will work the best or that they should simply replace their old HVAC system with a unit of the same capacity. The truth is, new heating system installation or air conditioner replacement should be chosen based on your home's current heating and cooling needs—not just square footage or the size of your existing equipment.
That's why reputable technicians complete an HVAC load calculation, also called a Manual J calculation, before suggesting replacement equipment. A Manual J calculation analyzes many details that impact your home's heating and cooling requirements, including:
- Total square footage
- Room height
- Window size and direction
- Insulation
- Air infiltration
- Area climate
- Number of occupants
- Heat generated by appliances and lighting
- Ductwork condition
A properly sized air conditioner runs long enough to cool your home evenly while removing excess humidity. That means more consistent temperatures, better indoor comfort and improved humidity control. Proper sizing also helps the equipment to perform more effciently, reducing unnecessary wear that can cause it to wear it out sooner or lead to costly breakdowns.
When HVAC equipment is properly sized, you get greater comfort and long-lasting performance.
Problems Caused by Oversized and Undersized Heating and Cooling Systems
You may be tempted to buy the most energy efficient, highest-capacity air conditioner or heating system on the market. The truth is, that’s rarely a smart choice.
HVAC systems that are bigger than necessary or undersized can create comfort problems, increase utility costs and reduce efficiency regardless of their SEER rating.
Drawbacks of Oversized HVAC Systems
An oversized air conditioner or heating system may heat or cool rapidly, but that doesn't mean it delivers the best comfort.
- Short cycling: An oversized HVAC system starts and stops often, reducing efficiency and increasing wear.
- Reduced humidity control: Oversized air conditioners finish cooling cycles too soon to remove indoor humidity from the air.
- Inconsistent temperatures: Some rooms get too cold while others aren’t ever cool enough.
- More wear and tear: Even though the system heats or cools your home fast, those repeated on-and-off cycles can cause avoidable breakdowns due to the strain.
Drawbacks of Undersized HVAC Systems
An undersized HVAC system can have the opposite problem:
- Long run times: The system stays on for extended periods trying to reach the set temperature, which also causes additional wear.
- Difficulty reaching thermostat settings: Your home may feel cool enough during hot weather or always feel chilly in the winter.
- Higher energy use: Running almost constantly can increase energy costs.
- Greater strain on very hot or cold days: HVAC systems that are too small can work harder in extreme temperatures, increasing component strain and the risk of breakdowns.
Why You Should Balance HVAC System Efficiency and Size
When weighing the pros and cons of a high SEER vs right-sized system, don't forget that you don't automatically need the most efficient model on the market.
Often, a correctly sized, mid-efficiency HVAC system will provide better results than an overly large premium system because it runs the way it was designed to.
Theideal choice is an energy-efficient HVAC system that's correctly sized for your home, your budget, your climate and your long-term needs.
As you think about how to choose a new air conditioner or furnace, think about:
- Lower energy costs: Higher-efficiency and right-sized systems can lower electricity use.
- Upfront investment: High-efficiency AC and heating systems often require a larger upfront investment than mid-range models but can reduce long-term energy costs.
- Electricity rates: Areas with higher utility costs may see greater long-term savings from higher-efficiency units.
- Your local climate: It's important your heating or cooling system has adequate capacity to handle areas with extremely cold winters or extremely hot summers.
- Time you plan to own the home: If you plan to stay in your home for many years, the long-term energy savings of a higher-efficiency unit may be worth the investment.
- Available rebates or tax incentives: Manufacturer promotions, {utility|equipment rebates and tax credits can lower the overall cost of qualifying equipment.
Real-World Situation: High Seer vs. Right System Size
What does this look like in the real world?
Picture two neighboring homes.
In one, the homeowner chooses a premium high-efficiency HVAC system that's too big for the house because the contractor replaced it with the same size system as the previous unit. At the neighboring home, an HVAC professional installs a right-sized, mid-SEER or AFUE system after completing a Manual J calculation.
While the second system has a lesser efficiency rating on paper, it may deliver lower operating costs, better home comfort, more effective humidity control and have a longer lifespan because it's correctly matched to the home's needs.
Choose the Local HVAC Professional Who Designs Personalized Solutions
Replacing your HVAC system should involve more than selecting a model with the highest efficiency rating. The best system is one that meets your household heating and cooling requirements.
At Stephen Hurst Pack Heating and Cooling, our skilled HVAC experts perform an HVAC load calculation. We'll carefully evaluate your home's layout and construction, your household's comfort goals and recommend equipment that's right for your home—not simply the highest-capacity, fanciest unit or the one with the highest AFUE or SEER2 rating.
Our HVAC experts will connect you with any available rebates and tax incentives and provide information about HVAC financing options that make efficient heating and cooling systems more accessible for all budgets.
Schedule an HVAC consultation online with Stephen Hurst Pack Heating and Cooling now. We'll evaluate your home, answer any questions and help you choose the correctly sized high-efficiency system that keeps your family comfortable for many years.