What Is SEER2, and How Will It Affect Homeowners?

For most homeowners, understanding air conditioners is an afterthought to the cool relief they provide. But “as long as it works” is a mantra that simply can’t fly when it comes to your major home utilities. Just as you trust Cornerstone Pros to provide many expert services like system maintenance or water purifier installation in Brandon, FL, we also want you to rely on us for the latest news and tips to ultimately save you time, hassle and money going forward.

As of January 1, 2023, the Department of Energy (DOE) has enacted new efficiency requirements that will affect the future of heating and cooling in your home, and may even affect your current AC system. The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rating on your unit is what measures its overall efficiency. With these new changes, SEER will be replaced with SEER2. More than just a name change, the new SEER2 rating system reflects the latest in efficiency measurements and accounts for real-world conditions that the old system did not. Simply put, the higher the SEER2 rating, the more energy-efficient your unit is.

Here’s What You Need to Know:

• The new SEER2 standards apply to all heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.
• Air conditioning standards are divided into three regions across the nation, with Florida resting in the Southeast region. Heat pump standards are the same nationwide.
• Air conditioners’ cooling capabilities are measured in British Thermal Units (BTUs), which tells us how much heat the unit can remove from a space in one hour. A higher BTU means higher cooling power.
• A SEER2 rating is determined by calculating the ratio of the total heat removed from the space divided by the total electric energy that the unit consumes in a single season.
• In our Southeast region, residential central air systems that rest below 45,000 BTUs are required to have a SEER2 rating of 14.3, while those above 45,000 BTUs must have a SEER2 rating of 13.8. Heat pumps nationwide must meet a 14.3 SEER2 rating.
• As of Jan. 1, air conditioning units must be manufactured to meet the new SEER2 requirements. Units manufactured in 2022 and earlier that do not meet the requirements cannot be installed in the Southeast region because of our need to allocate more energy toward cooling.
• Because of these changes and re-manufactured equipment, we expect a 20% to 40% price increase in 2023.

So What Does This Mean for You?

Unless you’ve just replaced your HVAC systems, it’s time to find out if you’re due for an upgrade. Because the price increase is also impacted by supply shortages, it will likely affect many HVAC companies’ ability to get their hands on new equipment. Here at Cornerstone Pros, our relationship with Carrier will help us meet the upcoming demand and provide the equipment our customers need. The original SEER rating on much of Carrier’s equipment was already high, meaning they didn’t need to make many adjustments to their products for the new year.

It’s vital that you work with a fully licensed, certified and insured service provider like Cornerstone Pros to ensure that the upgrades you make meet the new SEER2 requirements and are installed correctly. Plus, you can always rely on us for a variety of other home service upgrades, from air quality control to electric solutions and water softener installation in Brandon, FL and for our nearby neighbors.

While these changes might seem like a hassle, they herald significant improvements for the way we cool and heat our homes. Equipment costs may be rising, but there’s still time to get ahead of the game and save in the short term, so you can start saving on utility bills for the long term. Through it all, Cornerstone Pros will be here to answer your questions and support you!

Our home comfort specialists are ready to get you started on an estimate for your Florida home. Reach out to us online or call Cornerstone Pros at 813.859.6786 today. On behalf of our entire team, we wish you and your loved ones a happy and healthy new year!