Shopping for a new air conditioning system or furnace can feel overwhelming. If you're trying to find the best HVAC system for your home, it's common to focus on models with the highest efficiency ratings.
Surely the most efficient equipment provides the most comfort and lowest energy bills, right?
Not necessarily.
Efficiency ratings aren’t the only thing you should consider when it comes to new air conditioner installation or replacing your furnace. Although many people focus only on {energy efficiency|efficiency ratings, proper {HVAC system sizing is often even more important for your home's comfort and your power bills.
Proper sizing directly impacts humidity control and lasting performance. The best HVAC system for your home balances energy efficiency and proper sizing.
In thisblog, we'll explain what an air conditioner's SEER rating or SEER2 rating actually measures, why correct HVAC size is so important and why trusted HVAC experts consider both when helping you select the best HVAC system for your home.
High Seer Ratings: What Do They Mean?
A SEER rating, (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio), shows how effectively a cooling system cools your home over a normal cooling season. A SEER2 rating is the current version of SEER, using test procedures that better reflect real-world operating conditions. Nearly all new air conditioners have a SEER2 designation, simply because this rating is the new rating system for cooling equipment.
Fuel-burning heating system efficiency is measured by an AFUE rating, which is short for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. Like SEER and SEER2 ratings, higher AFUE ratings indicate a high-efficiency HVAC system that uses less electricity to heat your home than lower-rated systems under standardized laboratory testing.
However, high numbers don't automatically guarantee lower utility bills. Everyday heating and air conditioner efficiency depends on more than just efficiency ratings, including the quality of the installation, the condition of your ductwork, how much insulation your home has, thermostat settings and, most importantly, system sizing. Even the most efficient system cannot operate at its best if it is bigger than necessary or too small for the home.
Why Correct HVAC System Sizing Matters More Than Most Homeowners Realize
Many assume a bigger air conditioner or furnace will heat or cool a home better or that they should just replace their old HVAC system with a unit of the same capacity. Actually, new heating system installation or AC replacement should be selected based on your home's true heating and cooling needs—not just square footage or the capacity of the old system.
That's why reputable technicians complete an HVAC load calculation, also called a Manual J calculation, before selecting replacement equipment. A Manual J calculation evaluates many factors that impact your home's comfort needs, including:
- Home square footage
- Room height
- Window size and orientation
- Insulation
- Air leakage
- Local climate
- Number of occupants
- Heat produced from appliances and lighting
- Ductwork condition
A properly sized air conditioner runs for enough time to cool your home evenly while removing excess humidity. That means more consistent temperatures, better indoor comfort and improved moisture control. It also helps the equipment to run more effciently, reducing unnecessary wear that can cause it to wear it out sooner or lead to frequent or expensive repairs.
When a furnace or AC is properly sized, you get greater comfort and more reliable operation.
Problems with Oversized and Undersized Heating and Cooling Systems
It might be tempting to buy the most energy efficient, highest-capacity air conditioner or heating system on the market. In reality, that often isn't a smart choice.
HVAC systems that are too large or undersized can create indoor comfort challenges, increase energy expenses and reduce efficiency regardless of their SEER rating.
Issues Created by Oversized HVAC Systems
An oversized air conditioner or heating system may reach the thermostat setting fast, but that doesn't mean it works well.
- Short cycling: An oversized HVAC system starts and stops often, reducing efficiency and increasing wear and tear.
- Poor humidity removal: Oversized air conditioners finish cooling cycles too soon to remove indoor humidity from the air.
- Hot and cold spots: Some rooms become too cold while others aren’t ever cool enough.
- Additional equipment wear: Even though the system works quickly, those repeated on-and-off cycles can cause avoidable breakdowns due to the strain.
Issues Created by Undersized HVAC Systems
An undersized HVAC system has a different set of problems:
- Long run times: The system runs for long periods trying to reach the set temperature, which also causes additional wear.
- Trouble reaching the thermostat setting: Your home may never feel as cool as you want during hot weather or never feel warm enough in cold weather.
- Increased energy consumption: Running almost constantly can increase energy costs.
- Added strain during extreme weather: HVAC systems that are too small can work harder in extreme temperatures, increasing component strain and the risk of breakdowns.
Finding the Right Balance Between Efficiency and Size
When trying to decide between a high SEER vs right-sized system, keep in mind that you don't necessarily need the most efficient model on the market.
In many cases, a professionally sized, mid-efficiency HVAC system will provide better results than an overly large premium system because it operates the way it was designed to.
Thesmartest choice is an energy-efficient HVAC system that's properly sized for your home, your budget, your climate and your long-term goals.
As you consider how to choose a new air conditioner or furnace, think about:
- Lower energy costs: Higher-efficiency and right-sized systems can lower electricity use.
- Initial cost: High-efficiency AC and heating systems often cost more initially than mid-range models but can lower long-term energy costs.
- Electricity rates: Areas with higher utility costs may see more significant long-term savings from higher-efficiency units.
- Climate: It's essential your heating or cooling system has the right capacity to handle areas with harsh winter weather or intense summer heat.
- Length of home ownership: If you plan to stay in your home for many years, the long-term energy savings of a higher-efficiency unit may justify the investment.
- Financial incentives: Manufacturer promotions, {utility|equipment rebates and tax credits can reduce the overall cost of qualifying equipment.
Real-World Comparison: High Seer vs. Right System Size
How does this play out in a real world scenario?
Suppose there are two neighboring homes.
At the first home, the homeowner chooses a premium high-efficiency HVAC system that's too big because the contractor replaced it with the same size system as the previous unit. Next door, the second homeowner installs a right-sized, mid-SEER or AFUE system after completing a Manual J calculation.
Even though the second system has a lesser efficiency rating on paper, it may deliver lower operating costs, better home comfort, improved humidity control and last longer because it's correctly matched to the home's needs.
Choose the Local HVAC Professional Who Designs Solutions Tailored to Your Home
An HVAC replacement should involve much more than selecting the unit with the highest efficiency rating. The right system is one that meets your household heating and cooling requirements.
At PS Cool Heat, our knowledgeable technicians perform an HVAC load calculation. We'll carefully evaluate your home's layout and construction, your household's heating and cooling preferences and recommend equipment that's right for your home—not simply the largest, latest and greatest unit or the one with the highest AFUE or SEER2 rating.
Our team will help you identify any available tax rebates and provide information about HVAC financing options that make energy-efficient HVAC systems more accessible for all budgets.
Schedule an HVAC consultation online with PS Cool Heat now. We'll evaluate your home, answer any questions and help you choose the properly sized energy-efficient system that keeps your family comfortable for the long haul.
