About The Author: Travis Baugh is a Digital Brand Marketing Manager for Bryant, where he creates clear, helpful content to guide homeowners through heating, cooling, and indoor air quality decisions. His goal is to empower readers with the knowledge they need to choose the right comfort solutions for their home—confidently and comfortably.
What is a SEER Rating for Air Conditioners?
By Travis Baugh
A SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating measures the energy efficiency of an air conditioner or heat pump over a typical cooling season. A higher SEER rating indicates a more efficient system, which translates into lower energy consumption and reduced cooling costs for your home. central air conditioner
SEER2 is the most current version of this standard, representing the cooling output of a system divided by the energy it consumes. Understanding the SEER rating definition is crucial when selecting a new air conditioning system, as it directly impacts your energy bills and environmental footprint.
Why SEER Ratings Matter for Your Home
Investing in a high-efficiency system isn't just about meeting standards; it's about optimizing your home for long-term comfort. A higher SEER2 rating indicates a system that delivers precise temperature control while using less energy. This "efficiency that pays for itself" translates into a smaller environmental footprint and significant savings on monthly energy bills over the lifespan of your central air conditioner.
The Shift to SEER2
You may notice a new standard called SEER2. As of 2023, the industry transitioned to SEER2 to better reflect real-world conditions. SEER2 ratings are determined by a more rigorous testing procedure that accounts for the higher static pressure faced by systems installed in actual homes. While the numbers might look slightly different, the goal remains the same: giving you a clear, accurate picture of your system's efficiency.
What is a Good SEER Rating?
A "good" SEER2 rating depends on your climate, but a higher number always means greater efficiency. To ensure homes meet modern efficiency benchmarks, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has established minimum efficiency standards:
- Northern States: 13.4 SEER2
- Southern States: 14.3 SEER2
- Heat Pumps (Nationwide): 14.3 SEER2
While these are the minimums, investing in a unit with a higher SEER2 rating (such as 16 SEER2 or above) can deliver significant long-term savings, especially in hotter climates where the AC runs frequently.
How Do SEER2 vs. EER Ratings Differ?
When evaluating an AC unit's efficiency, you will encounter both SEER2 and EER2 (Energy Efficiency Ratio) ratings. While they both measure efficiency, they do so under different conditions.
- SEER2: Measures efficiency over an entire cooling season with varying temperatures, providing a realistic picture of year-round performance.
- EER2: Measures efficiency at a single, specific operating condition (typically high heat), making it useful for judging performance during peak summer days.
For most homeowners, the SEER rating is the more important metric because it reflects real-world efficiency and long-term energy costs.
How to Choose the Right SEER Rating for Your Home
Selecting the ideal SEER rating is a balance between your budget and long-term goals. Here are three key factors to guide your decision:
- Your Climate: If you live in a region with long, hot summers, your air conditioner will run more often. In this case, a higher SEER rating provides greater energy savings and a faster return on your investment.
- Your Budget: Systems with a higher SEER rating typically have a higher upfront cost. It’s important to balance this initial expense with the potential for lower monthly cooling bills over the life of the unit.
- Available Incentives: Many federal and local programs offer rebates for purchasing high-efficiency HVAC systems. A higher SEER rating often qualifies for these incentives, which can help offset the initial purchase price.
Mike Lea, co-owner of Lea Heating & Air Conditioning in East Dundee, IL, compares ignoring the SEER2 rating to ignoring miles per gallon when buying a car.
“That SEER rating is basically like miles per gallon for an automobile,” Lea explained. “It tells you how efficiently the unit will operate using electricity.” “A higher SEER2 rating indicates a more efficient unit, which results in lower cooling bills, better temperature control, and improved humidity management,” Lea said.
Connect With Your Local Bryant Dealer On SEER2 Ratings
Still have questions about what SEER rating is right for you? Connect with your local Bryant dealer. They can assess your home's unique needs, explain your options, and help you find a system that delivers optimal comfort and efficiency. Find a Bryant dealer near you to handle your AC installation, AC replacement, AC maintenance and AC tune up needs.
FAQs on SEER Rating
The required SEER2 rating varies by region, but most residential systems must meet a minimum of 13.4 SEER2 in northern states and 14.3 SEER2 in southern states, per 2023 federal guidelines.
Investing in a higher SEER2-rated unit can be worth it as it can lead to greater energy efficiency, help lower cooling bills, and improve performance—especially if you live in a hot climate or use your system frequently.
SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio and measures how efficiently an air conditioner cools over a typical season. Higher SEER ratings mean greater energy efficiency and lower cooling costs.
Yes—upgrading from 14 to 16 SEER can be worth it as it helps improve the efficiency of your AC unit, reduce energy bills and increase comfort.
Modern air conditioners can reach ratings up to 21 SEER2 or higher, depending on the model and technology, such as inverter-driven compressors.
A 20 SEER system is more efficient than an 18 SEER model, but the higher upfront cost of the 20 seer unit may not always justify the savings from the efficiency of the unit depending on your climate and AC usage.
For 2025, most federal tax credits require ENERGY STAR® certified systems, which generally means ≥16 SEER2 for split systems and ≥15.2 SEER2 for packaged units. Always confirm current requirements before purchase.
BTU measures an air conditioner’s cooling capacity, while SEER measures efficiency. In short, BTU tells you how much cooling power you get, and SEER tells you how efficiently it’s delivered. Learn more about BTU.
Generally, yes. Higher SEER units often feature advanced technology like variable-speed compressors and sound-dampening insulation. This allows the system to operate at lower speeds, maintaining your comfort level while remaining "quiet as a whisper."
You can usually find the SEER rating on the yellow "EnergyGuide" sticker attached to the side of your outdoor condenser unit. If the sticker is missing, locate the model number on the unit's data plate and look it up on the manufacturer's website or contact a local dealer for assistance.
Learn More About Air Conditioners
- Get in the know on air conditioning service
- Find out what is an inverter air conditioner
- Discover the factors in choosing the best air conditioner and what size air conditioner you need
- Find out how long do AC units last?
- Discover the difference in a heat pump vs air conditioner
