Shopping for a new AC or furnace can be stressful. If you're trying to find the best HVAC system for your home, it's understandable to focus on models with the highest efficiency ratings.
After all, the most efficient heating and cooling system will provide the most comfort and lowest energy bills, right?
It’s not quite that simple.
High efficiency isn't the only thing that matters when it comes to new air conditioner installation or replacing your furnace. Although many people focus only on energy efficiency, 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 delivers efficiency and proper sizing.
In this guide, 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 trusted HVAC experts consider both when recommending the best HVAC system for your home.
What Does it Mean if an AC Has a High SEER Rating?
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 newer version of SEER, using evaluation methods that better represent real-world operating conditions. Nearly all new air conditioners have a SEER2 rating, simply because this rating is the updated rating system for cooling equipment.
Fuel-burning heating system efficiency is evaluated by AFUE, which is for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. As with cooling efficiency ratings, 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.
Even so, high ratings don't necessarily guarantee lower utility bills. Everyday heating and air conditioner efficiency depends on many factors, including the installation quality, the state of your ductwork, insulation levels, thermostat settings and, most importantly, system sizing. Even the most efficient system cannot deliver peak performance if it is oversized or undersized for the home.
Why Proper HVAC Sizing Matters More Than You Think
Many assume a higher-capacity air conditioner or furnace will make their home the most comfortable or that they should simply replace their old HVAC system with a new one the same size. In reality, new heating system installation or a new air conditioner should be sized based on your home's true heating and cooling needs—not just square footage or the size of your existing equipment.
That's why reputable companies perform an HVAC load calculation, also called a Manual J calculation, before suggesting replacement equipment. A Manual J calculation analyzes many variables that impact your home's comfort needs, including:
- Total square footage
- Ceiling height
- Window size and direction
- Insulation
- Drafts and air leakage
- Regional climate
- Household occupants
- Heat generated by appliances and lighting
- Ductwork condition
A properly sized air conditioner runs long enough to cool your home consistently while pulling out excess humidity. That means more even temperatures, better indoor comfort and improved indoor humidity management. It also helps the equipment to operate more effciently, reducing excessive wear and tear that can reduce its service life or lead to costly breakdowns.
When HVAC equipment is properly sized, you get greater comfort and more dependable performance.
Problems with Oversized and Undersized Systems
You may be tempted to buy the most energy efficient, largest-capacity air conditioner or heating system on the market. However, that often isn't a good investment.
heating and cooling systems that are bigger than necessary or undersized can create indoor comfort challenges, 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 heat or cool rapidly, but that doesn't mean it works well.
- Short cycling: An oversized HVAC system turns on and off frequently, reducing efficiency and increasing wear.
- Humidity problems: Oversized air conditioners finish cooling cycles too soon to remove indoor humidity from the air.
- Uneven temperatures: Some rooms get too cold while others never feel comfortable.
- Additional equipment wear: Even though the system reaches the target temperature rapidly, those repeated on-and-off cycles can cause avoidable breakdowns due to the strain.
Drawbacks of Undersized HVAC Systems
An undersized HVAC system also can struggle:
- Continuous operation: The system stays on for extended periods trying to reach the desired temperature, which also causes additional wear.
- Trouble reaching the thermostat setting: Your home may not feel comfortable during hot weather or feel too cool during winter.
- Higher energy use: Running almost constantly can increase utility bills.
- Added strain during extreme weather: HVAC systems that are too small can run extremely hard 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, keep in mind that you don't automatically need the most efficient model on the market.
In many cases, a correctly sized, mid-efficiency HVAC system will deliver better performance than an oversized premium system because it functions the way it was designed to.
Theideal choice is an energy-efficient HVAC system that's matched for your home, your budget, your climate and your long-term goals.
As you consider how to choose a new air conditioner or furnace, keep these factors in mind:
- Lower energy costs: Higher-efficiency and right-sized systems can reduce electricity use.
- Initial cost: High-efficiency AC and heating systems often cost more initially than mid-range models but can lower long-term energy costs.
- Local utility costs: Areas with higher utility costs may see greater long-term savings from higher-efficiency units.
- Climate: It's important your heating or cooling system has the right capacity to handle areas with extremely cold winters or very hot summers.
- Length of home ownership: If you intend to remain 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 offset the overall cost of qualifying equipment.
Real-World Situation: High Seer vs. Right System Size
How does this play out in a real world example?
Picture two neighboring homes.
In one, the homeowner chooses a premium high-efficiency HVAC system that's too big for the house because the contractor only matched the previous unit. The other homeowner installs a right-sized, mid-SEER or AFUE system after completing a Manual J calculation.
While the second system has a lesser efficiency rating on paper, it may provide 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.
Choose the Local 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 home’s heating and cooling requirements.
At Fal-Ken Heating & Cooling Corporation, our skilled HVAC experts perform an HVAC load calculation. Our team will evaluate your home's design, your household's comfort needs and recommend equipment that's designed specifically for your home—not simply the highest-capacity, fanciest unit or the one with the highest AFUE or SEER2 rating.
Our heating and cooling specialists will let you know about any available rebates or tax incentives 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 Fal-Ken Heating & Cooling Corporation today. Our team will evaluate your home, answer any questions and help you choose the properly sized efficient system that keeps your family comfortable for the long haul.