Shopping for a new AC or furnace can be intimidating. When you're looking to find the best HVAC system for your home, it's natural to look for models with the highest efficiency ratings.
After all, the most efficient equipment will provide the most comfort and lowest energy bills, right?
Not necessarily.
Energy efficiency isn't the only thing to think about when it comes to new air conditioner installation or installing a new furnace. While many homeowners focus only on {energy efficiency|efficiency ratings, proper {HVAC system sizing is often even more important for your home's comfort and your power bills.
Proper sizing directly impacts humidity control and long-term reliability. The best HVAC system for your home combines energy efficiency and correct 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 qualified HVAC contractors consider both when recommending 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 air conditioner cools your home over a typical cooling season. A SEER2 rating is the newer version of SEER, using test procedures that better represent real-world operating conditions. Nearly all new air conditioners have a SEER2 rating, simply because this rating is the new 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. Everyday heating and air conditioner efficiency depends on several key factors, including the way the system is installed, the state of your ductwork, your home's insulation, thermostat settings and, most importantly, system sizing. Even the highest-rated system cannot perform as intended if it is too large or smaller than needed for the home.
Why HVAC System Size 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. The truth is, new heating system installation or air conditioner replacement should be selected 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 technicians complete an HVAC load calculation, also called a Manual J calculation, before suggesting replacement equipment. A Manual J calculation evaluates many details that affect your home's heating and cooling requirements, including:
- Overall square footage
- Room height
- Window size and orientation
- Insulation
- Drafts and air leakage
- Area climate
- Number of occupants
- Heat produced from appliances and lighting
- Ductwork condition
A properly sized air conditioner runs long enough to cool your home consistently while removing excess humidity. That means more even temperatures, better indoor comfort and improved moisture control. This also allows the equipment to operate more effciently, reducing strain that can shorten its lifespan or lead to frequent or expensive repairs.
When your heating or cooling system is the right size for your home, you get better comfort and more dependable performance.
Problems Caused by Oversized and Undersized HVAC Equipment
You may be tempted to buy the most energy efficient, largest-capacity air conditioner or heating system on the market. However, that's usually not a good investment.
heating and cooling systems that are bigger than your home needs or smaller than your home requires can create indoor comfort challenges, increase operating costs and reduce efficiency regardless of their SEER rating.
Common Problems With Oversized HVAC Systems
An oversized air conditioner or heating system may work quickly, but that doesn't mean it delivers the best comfort.
- Short cycling: An oversized HVAC system turns on and off frequently, reducing efficiency and increasing equipment strain.
- Reduced humidity control: Oversized air conditioners cool your home too quickly to remove indoor humidity from the air.
- Uneven temperatures: Some rooms feel too cool while others never feel comfortable.
- 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 also can struggle:
- Continuous operation: The system stays on for extended periods trying to reach the thermostat setting, which also causes extra strain.
- Trouble reaching the thermostat setting: Your home may never feel as cool as you want during hot weather or feel too cool during winter.
- Greater energy usage: Running almost constantly can increase monthly energy expenses.
- Added strain during extreme weather: HVAC systems that are too small can run extremely hard in extreme temperatures, increasing wear and the risk of breakdowns.
Balancing Efficiency and Size
When trying to decide between a high SEER vs right-sized system, remember that you don't necessarily need the most efficient model on the market.
More often than not, a professionally sized, mid-efficiency heating and cooling system will outperform an oversized premium system because it operates the way it was designed to.
Theideal choice is an energy-efficient HVAC system that's correctly sized for your home, your budget, your climate and your future plans.
When deciding how to choose a new air conditioner or furnace, consider:
- Efficiency savings: Higher-efficiency and right-sized systems can decrease electricity use.
- Initial cost: High-efficiency AC and heating systems often require a larger upfront investment than mid-range models but can lower long-term energy costs.
- Energy prices: Areas with higher electricity rates 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 extremely cold winters or very hot summers.
- Time you plan to 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.
- 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 scenario?
Suppose there are two neighboring homes.
At the first home, the homeowner chooses a premium high-efficiency HVAC system that's too big for the house because the contractor simply matched the previous unit. Next door, the second homeowner installs a properly 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 have a longer lifespan because it's correctly matched to the home's needs.
Work With an HVAC Professional Who Designs Solutions Tailored to Your Home
HVAC replacent or installation should involve much more than selecting a model with the highest efficiency rating. The best system is one that meets your home’s heating and cooling requirements.
At Covington Air Systems, our knowledgeable technicians perform an HVAC load calculation. Our team will evaluate your home's layout and construction, your household's comfort goals and recommend equipment that's designed specifically for your home—not simply the highest-capacity, latest and greatest unit or the one with the highest AFUE or SEER2 rating.
Our heating and cooling specialists will help you identify any available tax rebates 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 Covington Air Systems 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 the long haul.