Choosing a new air conditioner or furnace can be intimidating. If you're trying to find the best HVAC system for your home, it's understandable to look for models with extremely high efficiency ratings.
After all, the most efficient heating and cooling system should deliver the most comfort and lowest energy bills, right?
Not necessarily.
High efficiency isn't the only thing to think about 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 often even more important for your home's comfort and your energy bills.
Proper sizing also influences humidity control and long-term reliability. The best HVAC system for your home combines 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), shows how effectively an AC cools your home over a normal cooling season. A SEER2 rating is the newer version of SEER, using test procedures that better simulate real-world operating conditions. Most new air conditioners have a SEER2 efficiency rating, simply because that is the updated rating system for cooling equipment.
Fuel-burning heating system efficiency is measured by an AFUE rating, which stands for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. Similar to SEER and SEER2 ratings, higher AFUE ratings indicate a high-efficiency HVAC system that uses less electricity to achieve indoor comfort than lower-rated systems under standardized laboratory testing.
However, high ratings don't by themselves guarantee lower utility bills. Actual heating and air conditioner efficiency depends on many factors, 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 operate at its best if it is too large or too small for the home.
Why Proper HVAC Sizing Matters More Than You Think
Many assume a higher-capacity air conditioner or furnace will work the best or that they should just replace their old HVAC system with a same-sized replacement. Actually, new heating system installation or air conditioner replacement should be sized based on your home's true heating and cooling needs—not just square footage or the size of the previous unit.
That's why reputable contractors perform an HVAC load calculation, also called a Manual J calculation, before suggesting replacement equipment. A Manual J calculation analyzes many variables that affect your home's heating and cooling requirements, including:
- Total square footage
- Room height
- Window size and orientation
- Insulation
- Air infiltration
- Local climate
- Household occupants
- Heat generated by appliances and lighting
- Air duct condition
A properly sized air conditioner runs through longer cooling cycles to cool your home evenly while pulling out 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 shorten its lifespan or lead to more repairs and higher repair costs.
When HVAC equipment is correctly sized, you get better comfort and more dependable performance.
Problems with Oversized and Undersized Systems
You may be tempted to buy the most energy efficient, highest-capacity air conditioner or heating system on the market. However, that’s rarely a great idea.
heating and cooling systems that are too large or smaller than your home requires can create comfort problems, increase energy expenses and reduce efficiency regardless of their SEER rating.
Common Problems With 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 wear and tear.
- Humidity problems: Oversized air conditioners finish cooling cycles too soon to remove enough moisture from the air.
- Hot and cold spots: Some rooms feel too cool while others stay too warm.
- Additional equipment wear: 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 can have the opposite problem:
- Long run times: The system stays on for extended periods trying to reach the set temperature, which also causes unnecessary wear and tear.
- Difficulty maintaining the desired temperature: Your home may feel cool enough during hot weather or feel too cool during winter.
- Increased energy consumption: Running almost constantly can increase energy costs.
- Greater strain on very hot or cold days: HVAC systems that are too small can struggle in extreme temperatures, increasing wear and the chance of failure.
Finding the Right Balance Between Efficiency and Size
When trying to decide between a high SEER vs right-sized system, remember that you don't always need the most efficient model on the market.
Often, a properly sized, mid-efficiency heating and cooling system will outperform an overly large premium system because it functions the way it was designed to.
Thebest choice is an energy-efficient HVAC system that's matched for your home, your budget, your climate and your long-term needs.
As you think about how to choose a new air conditioner or furnace, think about:
- Energy savings: Higher-efficiency and right-sized systems can lower electricity use.
- Initial cost: High-efficiency AC and heating systems often cost more initially than mid-range models but can reduce long-term energy costs.
- Energy prices: Areas with more expensive electricity may see better long-term savings from higher-efficiency units.
- Climate: It's important your heating or cooling system has the right capacity to handle areas with harsh winter weather or intense summer heat.
- 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 offset 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 the first, the homeowner chooses a premium high-efficiency HVAC system has far more capacity than the home needs because the contractor simply matched the previous unit. The other homeowner installs a correctly sized, mid-efficiency system after completing a Manual J calculation.
While the second system has a lesser efficiency rating on paper, it may deliver lower operating costs, better home comfort, improved humidity control and have a longer lifespan because it's correctly matched to the home's needs.
Choose the HVAC Professional Who Designs Personalized Solutions
HVAC replacent or installation should involve more than selecting the unit with the highest efficiency rating. The best system is one that meets your household heating and cooling requirements.
At Morgner Inc. Air Conditioning & Heating, our skilled HVAC experts perform an HVAC load calculation. We'll evaluate your home's design, your household's heating and cooling preferences and recommend equipment that's right for your home—not simply the largest, latest and greatest unit or the one with the highest AFUE or SEER2 rating.
Our HVAC experts will let you know about 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 Morgner Inc. Air Conditioning & Heating now. Our team will evaluate your home, answer your questions and help you choose the properly sized high-efficiency system that keeps your family comfortable for many years.