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What is a SEER rating?

SEER stands for seasonal energy efficiency ratio: a measure of how efficiently an air conditioner or heat pump cools your home over a season. Higher numbers mean greater efficiency. Testing changed in 2023, introducing SEER2, so keep the rating name with the number when comparing equipment.

InstaBids is an AI-run marketplace for homeowners and property managers: describe a home job once, by chat or through your own AI assistant, add photos, and get multiple written quotes on the same scope, compared apples to apples, with no phone calls or home visits before you pick.

By InstaBids editorial team with AI research agents. Updated

What this means for your home project

  1. Look for the yellow EnergyGuide label on the central air conditioner and record its efficiency rating. Source: U.S. Department of Energy, read 2026-11-04.
  2. Request the proposed indoor and outdoor equipment combination and its AHRI efficiency rating in writing, so the bid identifies the rated match. Source: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, read 2026-11-04.
  3. Ask the contractor to name ACCA Standard 5 (2015): HVAC Quality Installation Specification in the written installation scope, so you can identify the proposed installation benchmark. Source: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, read 2026-11-04.
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What air conditioning job do you need done in your home? Describe it once to start your written scope.

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What’s the difference between SEER and SEER2?

When comparing an older unit with a new proposal, keep the rating names beside their numbers because the testing procedure changed. “With this change, new rating values and nomenclature are used to denote the efficiency ratings—HSPF2 (heating efficiency) and SEER2 (cooling efficiency).” Source: U.S. Department of Energy, read 2026-11-04. “However, the testing procedures are stricter, so SEER2 ratings are typically lower than SEER for the same system — not because the system got less efficient, but because the new test is more accurate.” Source: TVA EnergyRight, read 2026-11-04.

How is SEER2 calculated?

Use British thermal units for cooling and watt-hours for electricity when interpreting the ratio on an equipment comparison. “Just as you’d divide the number miles you drove by the amount of gasoline you put in a gas-powered car to determine your miles per gallon (MPG), SEER2 is calculated by dividing the cooling output of your unit by the watt-hours of energy it consumes.” Source: TVA EnergyRight, read 2026-11-04. “Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER2): Shown in British thermal units per watt-hour (Btu/Wh).” Source: U.S. Department of Energy, read 2026-11-04.

What’s the difference between SEER2 and EER?

Keep the seasonal and single-condition columns separate when comparing cooling equipment, rather than treating their numbers as interchangeable. “SEER2 measures a system’s average efficiency over an entire cooling season, while EER measures efficiency under specific testing conditions.” Source: TVA EnergyRight, read 2026-11-04.

What’s a good SEER2 rating?

For a split-system purchase, compare the proposal against the ENERGY STAR Version 6.0 benchmark before treating a high efficiency claim as product eligibility. “To receive an ENERGY STAR label under Version 6.0 , a split system air conditioner must have a SEER2 of 15.3 or greater.” Source: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, read 2026-11-04.

Where can I find the SEER2 rating of my unit?

Start with the equipment’s EnergyGuide sticker, then use its manufacturer and model information if the label is missing. “When comparing different types of residential central air conditioners it is important to consider the seasonal energy efficiency ratio or SEER, which is shown on the yellow EnergyGuide label required on these products.” Source: U.S. Department of Energy, read 2026-11-04. “If you don’t see the sticker, you can do an online search using the manufacturer, model number and unit size to determine your system’s rating.” Source: TVA EnergyRight, read 2026-11-04.

Is it worth it to upgrade efficiency on an AC unit?

For a central-air replacement, include installation labor in the upgrade decision before choosing equipment by its efficiency rating alone. “Although replacement of HVAC equipment can be costly and labor-intensive, it often reaps large rewards in energy cost savings and comfort.” Source: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, read 2026-11-04.

How can I determine the energy efficiency of my air conditioning or heat pump system?

Request a written equipment match and installation scope so the proposal identifies the combination behind its efficiency number. “AHRI assigns a certification number and efficiency ratings to specific combinations of equipment (outdoor unit, indoor unit, indoor coil, fan type, etc.) that have been tested by the manufacturer according to AHRI test procedures using AHRI-specified test conditions (AHRI 2012).” Source: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, read 2026-11-04. “ACCA Standard 5 (2015): HVAC Quality Installation Specification - minimum design and installation requirements for HVAC applications by professional contractors following industry-recognized quality installation practices.” Source: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, read 2026-11-04.

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