Shopping for a new AC or furnace can feel overwhelming. If you want to find the best HVAC system for your home, it's natural to focus on models with extremely high efficiency ratings.
Surely the most efficient heating and cooling system should deliver the most comfort and lowest energy bills, right?
It’s not quite that simple.
Energy efficiency isn't the only thing that matters when it comes to new air conditioner installation or replacing your furnace. Even though many focus only on {energy efficiency|efficiency ratings, proper {HVAC system sizing is just as, if not more important for your home's comfort and your power bills.
Proper sizing has a major impact on humidity control and system longevity. The best HVAC system for your home delivers energy efficiency and proper sizing.
In thisarticle, we'll explain what an air conditioner's SEER rating or SEER2 rating actually measures, why correct HVAC size is so important and why experienced HVAC professionals 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), shows how efficiently an AC cools your home over a normal cooling season. A SEER2 rating is the updated version of SEER, using test procedures that better simulate real-world operating conditions. Nearly all new air conditioners have a SEER2 rating, simply because that is the updated rating system for cooling equipment.
Fuel-burning heating system efficiency is evaluated by an AFUE rating, which stands for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. Like 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 numbers don't by themselves guarantee lower utility bills. Everyday heating and air conditioner efficiency depends on many factors, including the installation quality, the state of your ductwork, your home's insulation, thermostat settings and, most importantly, proper HVAC system sizing. Even the highest-rated system cannot deliver peak performance if it is oversized or too small for the home.
Why HVAC System Size Matters More Than You Probably Think
Many assume a larger air conditioner or furnace will heat or cool a home better or that they should just replace their old HVAC system with a same-sized replacement. The truth is, new heating system installation or AC replacement should be sized based on your home's current heating and cooling needs—not just square footage or the capacity of the old system.
That's why reputable companies perform an HVAC load calculation, also called a Manual J calculation, before recommending replacement equipment. A Manual J calculation considers many factors that affect your home's comfort needs, including:
- Overall square footage
- Ceiling height
- Window size and direction
- Home insultation levels
- Air infiltration
- Area climate
- Household occupants
- Heat produced from appliances and lighting
- Ductwork condition
A properly sized air conditioner runs for enough time to cool your home consistently while eliminating excess humidity. That means more even temperatures, better indoor comfort and improved humidity control. It also helps the equipment to run more effciently, reducing strain that can shorten its lifespan or lead to frequent or expensive repairs.
When your heating or cooling system is properly sized, you get improved comfort and more dependable performance.
Problems with Oversized and Undersized HVAC Equipment
It might be tempting to buy the most energy efficient, largest-capacity air conditioner or heating system on the market. However, that's usually not a great idea.
heating and cooling systems that are too large or too small can create indoor comfort challenges, increase energy expenses and reduce efficiency regardless of their SEER rating.
Issues Created by Oversized HVAC Systems
An oversized air conditioner or heating system may heat or cool rapidly, but that doesn't mean it performs efficiently.
- 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.
- Inconsistent temperatures: Some rooms feel too cool while others stay too warm.
- 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.
Issues Created by Undersized HVAC Systems
An undersized HVAC system also can struggle:
- Continuous operation: The system operates almost continuously trying to reach the thermostat setting, which also causes extra strain.
- Difficulty maintaining the desired temperature: Your home may not feel comfortable during hot weather or never feel warm enough in cold weather.
- Greater energy usage: Running for extended periods can increase energy costs.
- Extra stress during severe weather: HVAC systems that are too small can run extremely hard in extreme temperatures, increasing component strain and the risk of breakdowns.
Why You Should Balance HVAC System Efficiency and Size
When trying to decide between a high SEER vs right-sized system, don't forget that you don't automatically need the highest-efficiency model on the market.
More often than not, a properly sized, mid-efficiency heating and cooling system will provide better results than an overly large premium system because it functions the way it was designed to.
Thesmartest choice is an energy-efficient HVAC system that's correctly sized for your home, your budget, your climate and your long-term needs.
As you consider how to choose a new air conditioner or furnace, think about:
- Lower energy costs: Higher-efficiency and right-sized systems can lower electricity use.
- Upfront investment: High-efficiency AC and heating systems often cost more initially than mid-range models but can reduce long-term energy costs.
- Electricity rates: Areas with higher utility costs may see better long-term savings from higher-efficiency units.
- Your local climate: It's essential your heating or cooling system has the right capacity to handle areas with extremely cold winters or extremely 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 offset the overall cost of higher-efficiency systems.
Real-World Example: High Seer vs. Right System Size
How does this work in the real world?
Picture two neighboring homes.
At the first home, 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. At the neighboring home, an HVAC professional installs a properly sized, moderate-efficiency system after completing a Manual J calculation.
Although the second system has a more modest efficiency rating on paper, it may provide lower operating costs, better home comfort, improved humidity control and have a longer lifespan because it's appropriately sized to the home's needs.
Choose the HVAC Professional Who Designs Solutions Tailored to Your Home
An HVAC replacement should involve more than selecting the unit with the top efficiency rating. The best system is one that meets your home’s heating and cooling requirements.
At Vogts Heating & Air, our knowledgeable technicians perform an HVAC load calculation. We'll carefully evaluate your home's layout and construction, 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 Vogts Heating & Air now. We'll evaluate your home, answer any questions and help you choose the right-sized high-efficiency system that keeps your family comfortable for years to come.