Choosing a new air conditioner or furnace can feel overwhelming. When you're looking to find the best HVAC system for your home, it's natural to look for models with extremely high efficiency ratings.
After all, the most efficient system should deliver the most comfort and lowest energy bills, right?
It’s not quite that simple.
Efficiency ratings aren’t the only thing you should consider when it comes to new air conditioner installation or installing a new furnace. Even though many focus only on {energy efficiency|efficiency ratings, proper {HVAC system sizing is equally, if not more important for your home's comfort and your energy bills.
Proper sizing also influences humidity control and system longevity. The best HVAC system for your home balances energy efficiency and proper sizing.
In thisarticle, we'll explain what an air conditioner's SEER rating or SEER2 rating actually measures, why proper HVAC system sizing is so important and why trusted HVAC experts consider both when helping you choose the best HVAC system for your home.
What Does it Mean if an AC Has a High SEER Rating?
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. Most new air conditioners have a SEER2 designation, simply because this rating is the current rating system for cooling equipment.
Fuel-burning heating system efficiency is rated by AFUE, which is short for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. Like SEER and SEER2, 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.
That said, high ratings don't automatically guarantee lower utility bills. Actual heating and air conditioner efficiency depends on several key factors, including the installation quality, the state of your ductwork, insulation levels, thermostat settings and, most importantly, proper HVAC system sizing. Even the highest-rated system cannot operate at its best if it is bigger than necessary or undersized for the home.
Why Correct HVAC System Sizing Matters More Than Most Homeowners Realize
Many assume a bigger air conditioner or furnace will work the best or that they should just replace their old HVAC system with a same-sized replacement. The truth is, new heating system installation or AC replacement should be selected based on your home's current heating and cooling needs—not just square footage or the size of the previous unit.
That's why reputable companies perform an HVAC load calculation, also called a Manual J calculation, before selecting replacement equipment. A Manual J calculation analyzes many variables that impact your home's heating and cooling load, including:
- Total square footage
- Ceiling height
- Window size and placement
- Insulation
- Drafts and air leakage
- Local climate
- Household occupants
- Heat produced from appliances and lighting
- Air duct condition
A properly sized air conditioner runs for enough time to cool your home consistently while removing excess humidity. That means more even temperatures, better indoor comfort and improved indoor humidity management. This also allows the equipment to operate more effciently, reducing excessive wear and tear that can shorten its lifespan or lead to frequent or expensive repairs.
When a furnace or AC is properly sized, you get greater comfort and long-lasting performance.
Problems Caused by Oversized and Undersized Systems
It might be tempting to buy the most energy efficient, biggest air conditioner or heating system on the market. The truth is, that’s rarely a good investment.
heating and cooling systems that are too large or smaller than your home requires 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 equipment strain.
- High indoor humidity: Oversized air conditioners reach the set temperature too fast to remove excess moisture from the air.
- Hot and cold spots: Some rooms become too cold while others stay too warm.
- Increased wear and tear: Even though the system heats or cools your home fast, those frequent starts and stops 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 stays on for extended periods trying to reach the desired temperature, which also causes additional wear.
- Difficulty maintaining the desired temperature: Your home may not feel comfortable during hot weather or feel too cool during winter.
- Higher energy use: Running nonstop can increase monthly energy expenses.
- Extra stress during severe weather: HVAC systems that are too small can work harder in extreme temperatures, increasing wear and the likelihood of repairs.
Why You Should Balance HVAC System Efficiency and Size
When weighing the pros and cons of a high SEER vs right-sized system, remember that you don't automatically need the most efficient model on the market.
More often than not, a professionally sized, mid-efficiency heating and cooling system will outperform an overly large premium system because it operates the way it was designed to.
Thesmartest choice is an energy-efficient HVAC system that's correctly sized for your home, your budget, your climate and your long-term goals.
When deciding how to choose a new air conditioner or furnace, think about:
- Efficiency savings: Higher-efficiency and right-sized systems can decrease electricity use.
- Purchase price: High-efficiency AC and heating systems often cost more initially than mid-range models but can reduce long-term energy costs.
- Energy prices: Areas with higher utility costs may see greater long-term savings from higher-efficiency units.
- Seasonal weather conditions: It's important your heating or cooling system has enough capacity to handle areas with harsh winter weather or intense summer heat.
- How long you'll own the home: If you expect to live in your home for many years, the long-term energy savings of a higher-efficiency unit may justify the investment.
- Rebates and tax credits: 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
How does this work in a real world example?
Suppose there are two neighboring homes.
In the first, 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. At the neighboring home, an HVAC professional installs a correctly sized, mid-SEER or AFUE system after completing a Manual J calculation.
Although the second system has a lower 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 the Right Solution
HVAC replacent or installation should involve much more than selecting a model with the top efficiency rating. The best system is one that meets your home’s heating and cooling requirements.
At JW Brager Heating and Cooling, 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 properly matched for your home—not simply the biggest, latest and greatest unit or the one with the highest AFUE or SEER2 rating.
Our HVAC experts will let you know about any available rebates or tax incentives and provide information about HVAC financing options that make energy-efficient HVAC systems more accessible for all budgets.
Schedule an HVAC consultation online with JW Brager Heating and Cooling to get started. We'll gladly evaluate your home, answer your questions and help you choose the right-sized high-efficiency system that keeps your family comfortable for years to come.