What Is a SEER Rating — and Why Should You Care?
When it comes to your HVAC system, SEER isn’t just another acronym. It stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, and it measures how efficiently your air conditioner or heat pump cools your home throughout the season. The higher the SEER, the less energy your system uses — and the lower your monthly electric bills.
How SEER Ratings Work
Think of SEER like gas mileage for your HVAC system. A unit with a SEER of 14 is the rough equivalent of a pickup truck, while a 20+ SEER system is more like a hybrid — efficient, clean, and cost-saving over time. As of 2023, the Department of Energy requires a minimum SEER rating of 15 for new AC systems in Texas.
SEER Ratings Over Time: How Older Systems Compare
Many homes in the Dallas-Fort Worth area still rely on older systems with SEER ratings as low as 8 or 10. That means those systems are working twice as hard (and burning twice the electricity) compared to today’s high-efficiency models. Upgrading could save you hundreds every year — and we’ll show you exactly how much.
Try Our SEER Energy Savings Calculator
Wondering what kind of difference a new system could make for your energy bills? Use our interactive SEER calculator below to see potential savings based on your current system’s rating and your average monthly bill.
Cooling Savings
0 SEER vs 0 SEER on a 0 BTU Air Conditioner
Savings per year
Heating Savings
0 AFUE vs 0 AFUE
Savings per year
When Does It Make Sense to Upgrade?
If your system is 10+ years old, needs frequent repairs, or struggles to keep your home cool, an upgrade might be more cost-effective than hanging on. A higher-SEER unit can slash your utility bills and often pays for itself in just a few years. At Lex, we install top-tier HVAC systems from Trane, including ultra-efficient models with SEER2 ratings up to 20+. As a Certified Trane Comfort Specialist, we’ll help you find the right system for your home and budget — and back it with The Gold Standard of White Glove Service.
Ready to Save on Energy Bills?
Get an online quote in seconds, and see how upgrading your HVAC system can pay off.
