Compare your current AC efficiency with a higher-SEER2 air conditioner and estimate annual electricity use, cooling cost, energy savings and long-term savings.
Calculate SEER2 SavingsNot sure what SEER2 means? Start with our SEER2 ratings guide . If you mainly want to estimate your current cooling bill, use the AC electricity cost calculator .
Compare estimated electricity use and cooling costs between two efficiency ratings.
This estimate assumes the same cooling load, equipment capacity and electricity rate for both systems. Actual savings can vary with weather, system condition, thermostat settings, ducts, installation quality and household usage.
Request HVAC help below if you are researching replacement after comparing SEER2 energy savings.
A higher SEER2 rating generally means less electrical energy is required to provide the same seasonal cooling output. To compare multiple equipment ratings side by side, use our HVAC efficiency comparison calculator .
Efficiency is only one reason an older system may cost more to operate. Compare equipment age and operating costs with our old AC vs new AC cost calculator .
Energy savings alone do not tell you whether a more expensive system pays for itself. Use the HVAC payback calculator to compare upfront cost with projected savings.
A higher-efficiency system may carry a different equipment and installation price. Compare the savings estimate with our HVAC replacement cost calculator .
Before choosing higher-efficiency equipment solely because of projected utility savings, compare the upgrade with realistic AC replacement costs in Texas . The additional upfront price matters just as much as the annual electricity savings.
If your current air conditioner also needs a substantial repair, our AC repair vs replacement guide can help organize the decision. If replacement becomes the practical next step, review the full HVAC replacement process before comparing equipment.
DOE explains current residential central air-conditioner efficiency requirements, SEER2 terminology and lifecycle energy-cost considerations. Review DOE central AC efficiency guidance .
ENERGY STAR provides its own heating and cooling savings calculator for comparing residential HVAC equipment and energy use. View the ENERGY STAR HVAC savings calculator .
SEER2 is a seasonal cooling-efficiency rating that compares the cooling provided by an air conditioner or heat pump with the electrical energy used during the cooling season.
For the same seasonal cooling load, a higher efficiency rating generally corresponds with lower electrical energy use. Actual household savings still depend on system operation and property conditions.
The percentage reduction depends on the relative efficiency difference, while the dollar savings depend on system size, cooling load and electricity price. Enter those values into the calculator for an estimate.
No. SEER2 uses a newer test procedure, so an older SEER rating and a SEER2 rating are not always directly interchangeable. Comparisons involving legacy equipment should be treated as approximate.
Not necessarily. The additional equipment cost should be compared with realistic annual energy savings and the expected ownership period.
Two systems can use the same amount of electricity in different homes but produce different dollar costs when the utility rate per kilowatt-hour is different.
Yes. A larger-capacity system can consume more total electricity under equivalent operating conditions, so the dollar difference between efficiency levels can also increase.
No. This is an informational estimate. Weather, thermostat settings, equipment condition, ducts, installation quality, maintenance and actual electricity rates can change real-world savings.
Use the HVAC help form after comparing your estimated SEER2 savings, equipment cost and replacement options.