Choosing a new air conditioner or furnace can be stressful. When you're looking to find the best HVAC system for your home, it's common to focus on models with extremely high efficiency ratings.
After all, the most efficient system provides the most comfort and lowest energy bills, right?
Not necessarily.
High 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 power bills.
Proper sizing also influences humidity control and long-term reliability. The best HVAC system for your home delivers 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 qualified HVAC contractors consider both when helping you choose the best HVAC system for your home.
High Seer Ratings: What Do They Mean?
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 updated version of SEER, using testing methods that better reflect real-world operating conditions. Today’s 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 evaluated by something called AFUE, which is short for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. Similar to 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.
That said, high ratings don't by themselves guarantee lower utility bills. Real-world heating and air conditioner efficiency depends on more than just efficiency ratings, including the way the system is installed, the state of your ductwork, your home's insulation, thermostat settings and, most importantly, HVAC system sizing. Even the highest-rated system cannot perform as intended if it is oversized or too small for the home.
Why Correct HVAC System Sizing Matters More Than You Think
Many assume a bigger air conditioner or furnace will work the best or that they should simply replace their old HVAC system with a new one the same size. In reality, new heating system installation or air conditioner replacement should be sized 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 contractors perform an HVAC load calculation, also called a Manual J calculation, before recommending replacement equipment. A Manual J calculation considers many variables that impact your home's heating and cooling load, including:
- Total square footage
- Ceiling height
- Window size and placement
- Home insultation levels
- Drafts and air leakage
- Area climate
- Household occupants
- Heat produced from appliances and lighting
- Air duct condition
A properly sized air conditioner runs through longer cooling cycles to cool your home more uniformly while eliminating excess humidity. That means steadier temperatures, better indoor comfort and improved indoor humidity management. Proper sizing also helps the equipment to run more effciently, reducing unnecessary wear that can reduce its service life or lead to costly breakdowns.
When HVAC equipment is properly sized, you get better 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. In reality, that's usually not a smart choice.
heating and cooling systems that are bigger than necessary or undersized can create comfort issues, increase energy expenses and reduce efficiency regardless of their SEER rating.
Drawbacks of 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 cycles repeatedly, reducing efficiency and increasing equipment strain.
- Reduced humidity control: Oversized air conditioners reach the set temperature too fast to remove enough moisture from the air.
- Uneven temperatures: Some rooms feel too cool while others never feel comfortable.
- More wear and tear: 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 operates almost continuously trying to reach the thermostat setting, which also causes additional wear.
- Trouble reaching the thermostat setting: Your home may feel cool enough during hot weather or feel too cool during winter.
- Increased energy consumption: Running for extended periods can increase monthly energy expenses.
- Added strain during extreme weather: HVAC systems that are too small can struggle in extreme temperatures, increasing equipment wear and the risk of breakdowns.
Balancing Efficiency and Size
When trying to decide between a high SEER vs right-sized system, don't forget that you don't always need the top-efficiency model on the market.
Often, 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 properly sized for your home, your budget, your climate and your long-term needs.
When deciding how to choose a new air conditioner or furnace, consider:
- 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 lower long-term energy costs.
- Local utility costs: Areas with higher electricity rates may see better long-term savings from higher-efficiency units.
- Seasonal weather conditions: It's essential your heating or cooling system has the right capacity to handle areas with extremely cold winters or intense summer heat.
- Length of home ownership: 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.
- Rebates and tax credits: Manufacturer promotions, {utility|equipment rebates and tax credits can reduce the overall cost of high-efficiency HVAC 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 one, the homeowner chooses a premium high-efficiency HVAC system has far more capacity than the home needs because the contractor only matched the previous unit. At the neighboring home, an HVAC professional installs a properly sized, moderate-efficiency system after completing a Manual J calculation.
Although 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 appropriately sized to the home's needs.
Choose the HVAC Professional Who Designs the Right Solution
HVAC replacent or installation should involve much more than selecting a system with the highest efficiency rating. The right system is one that meets your heating and cooling requirements.
At Luikart Heating & Cooling, our skilled HVAC experts perform an HVAC load calculation. We'll evaluate your home's size and layout, your household's comfort needs and recommend equipment that's designed specifically for your home—not simply the biggest, latest and greatest unit or the one with the highest AFUE or SEER2 rating.
Our team will connect you with 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 Luikart Heating & Cooling today. We'll evaluate your home, answer any questions and help you choose the correctly sized high-efficiency system that keeps your family comfortable for years to come.