Choosing a new AC or furnace can be intimidating. When you're looking to find the best HVAC system for your home, it's common to look for models with extremely high efficiency ratings.
Surely the most efficient system will provide 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 furnace replacement. Although many people focus only on {energy efficiency|efficiency ratings, proper {HVAC system sizing is just as, if not more important for your home's comfort and your utility bills.
Proper sizing has a major impact on humidity control and lasting performance. The best HVAC system for your home combines 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 size 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), indicates how efficiently an AC cools your home over a normal cooling season. A SEER2 rating is the current version of SEER, using testing methods that better represent real-world operating conditions. Most new air conditioners have a SEER2 rating, simply because this rating is the current rating system for cooling equipment.
Fuel-burning heating system efficiency is measured by something called 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 heat your home than lower-rated systems under standardized laboratory testing.
Even so, high ratings don't automatically guarantee lower utility bills. Real-world heating and air conditioner efficiency depends on several key factors, including the way the system is installed, the condition of your ductwork, how much insulation your home has, thermostat settings and, most importantly, system sizing. Even the highest-efficiency system cannot deliver peak performance if it is too large or too small for the home.
Why HVAC System Size Matters More Than Most Homeowners Realize
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 same-sized replacement. Actually, new heating system installation or AC replacement should be selected based on your home's actual heating and cooling needs—not just square footage or the size of the previous unit.
That's why reputable technicians perform an HVAC load calculation, also called a Manual J calculation, before suggesting replacement equipment. A Manual J calculation considers many variables that impact your home's comfort needs, including:
- Overall square footage
- Room height
- Window size and placement
- Insulation
- Drafts and air leakage
- Regional climate
- Household occupants
- Heat generated by appliances and lighting
- Ductwork condition
A properly sized air conditioner runs long enough to cool your home more uniformly while pulling out excess humidity. That means more even temperatures, better indoor comfort and improved moisture control. This also allows the equipment to run 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 correctly sized, you get greater comfort and more dependable performance.
Problems with Oversized and Undersized Systems
It might be tempting to buy the most energy efficient, highest-capacity air conditioner or heating system on the market. However, that's usually not a smart choice.
heating and cooling systems that are bigger than necessary or too small can create comfort issues, 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 heat or cool rapidly, but that doesn't mean it works well.
- Short cycling: An oversized HVAC system turns on and off frequently, reducing efficiency and increasing wear.
- Poor humidity removal: Oversized air conditioners reach the set temperature too fast to remove excess moisture from the air.
- Uneven temperatures: 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 repeated on-and-off cycles can cause avoidable breakdowns due to the strain.
Issues Created by Undersized HVAC Systems
An undersized HVAC system also can struggle:
- Continuous operation: The system operates almost continuously trying to reach the thermostat setting, which also causes unnecessary wear and tear.
- Trouble reaching the thermostat setting: Your home may not feel comfortable during hot weather or feel too cool during winter.
- Higher energy use: Running almost constantly can increase utility bills.
- Extra stress during severe weather: HVAC systems that are too small can struggle in extreme temperatures, increasing equipment 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, keep in mind that you don't always need the highest-efficiency model on the market.
More often than not, a correctly sized, mid-efficiency heating and cooling system will provide better results than an oversized premium system because it runs the way it was designed to.
Theideal choice is an energy-efficient HVAC system that's matched for your home, your budget, your climate and your long-term needs.
When deciding how to choose a new air conditioner or furnace, think about:
- Energy savings: Higher-efficiency and right-sized systems can lower electricity use.
- Upfront investment: High-efficiency AC and heating systems often cost more initially than mid-range models but can lower 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 crucial your heating or cooling system has adequate capacity to handle areas with harsh winter weather or extremely hot summers.
- 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 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 Example: High Seer vs. Right System Size
How does this work in a real world example?
Imagine two neighboring homes.
In the first, the homeowner chooses a premium high-efficiency HVAC system that's too big because the contractor only matched 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.
While the second system has a lower efficiency rating on paper, it may deliver lower operating costs, better home comfort, more effective humidity control and last longer because it's appropriately sized to the home's needs.
Choose the Local HVAC Professional Who Designs Solutions Tailored to Your Home
HVAC replacent or installation should involve more than selecting a system with the top efficiency rating. The best system is one that meets your heating and cooling requirements.
At Premium Air Services LLC, our skilled HVAC experts perform an HVAC load calculation. We'll evaluate your home's layout and construction, your household's comfort needs and recommend equipment that's right for your home—not simply the biggest, fanciest 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 efficient heating and cooling systems more accessible for all budgets.
Schedule an HVAC consultation online with Premium Air Services LLC now. Our team will evaluate your home, answer your questions and help you choose the correctly sized high-efficiency system that keeps your family comfortable for years to come.