When you live in Colorado Springs, you get that cool mountain air and mountain landscapes, but it also comes with dry summer heat and plummeting overnight temperature drops. It can be challenging for your HVAC system to keep up with the constant changes and keep running efficiently. It’s time to ask yourself: Is your SEER rating where it needs to be? 

If you’ve ever shopped for a new air conditioner or heat pump, you may have seen a yellow EnergyGuide sticker with a SEER number on it. But what is it and how does it impact your comfort and your wallet?

In this post, the Colorado Springs HVAC experts at Big Cat break down what a SEER rating is and why it matters for your Colorado home.

What Is SEER and Why Does It Matter?

SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. It’s a number that indicates how efficiently an air conditioning system cools your home over the course of a complete cooling season. When the SEER rating is high, you get more cooling for each watt of electricity used. It’s a similar idea to MPG, or miles per gallon, for your car.

At one point, 13 SEER was the gold standard. Today’s high-efficiency models go as high as 25 SEER. When you live in a variable summer climate like Colorado Springs, the higher SEER units can make a significant difference in your comfort and your utility bills.

SEER vs. SEER2: What’s the Difference?

In 2023, the Department of Energy updated how SEER is calculated to better reflect how it actually performs in homes and buildings. The new version is called SEER2, which uses more realistic testing conditions. The SEER2 ratings are actually a little lower than the older SEER numbers but are a more accurate representation of how your system will perform and cool your home.

When you’re shopping for a new heat pump or air conditioner in Colorado Springs, make sure you know whether you’re looking at a SEER or SEER2 rating. If you’re not sure what you need or how to make sense of it all, the team at Big Cat Plumbing, Heating & Cooling is here to help you make sense of it all, select the right Colorado Springs AC unit or heat pump for your home, and install it for a hassle-free experience.

Regional SEER Requirements in Colorado

There are also minimum SEER ratings, which aren’t a one-size-fits-all approach. It really depends on where you live. Colorado falls into the Northern region, which means:

• New air conditioners must meet a minimum of 14 SEER (or 13.4 SEER2).
• Older systems with lower ratings are being phased out for more efficient models that do a better job cooling homes. 

Is your AC or heat pump over 10 years old? Making an upgrade to a unit with a higher SEER number emans you should see a noticeable difference in your cooling efficiency right away. There’s also a good chance your system is at the end of its lifespan anyway and needs a replacement.

What About Heat Pumps?

Heat pumps also use SEER ratings, but only on the cooling side. Heat pumps are rated by SEER for cooling and HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor) for heating. Colorado Springs locals know that temperatures swing dramatically between daytime hours and evening, making heat pumps an ideal solution to stay comfortable while keeping utility bills as low as possible. The right high-efficiency system can handle both cooling and heating while using less energy throughout the year.

How to Find Your Current SEER Rating

If you’re curious what your current SEER rating is and how efficient your system is, it’s easy to check. Go outside and look for the yellow EnergyGuide label on your outdoor condenser unit. If you already know the model number of your unit, you can also look it up online to find the SEER rating. Or schedule a regular AC maintenance call with Big Cat. We’ll come out to service and clean up your unit and check on your SEER rating for you and go over its efficiency with you. 

SEER Keeps Your Home More Comfortable

Saving money is a huge benefit of switching to a more efficient unit with a higher SEER rating, but comfort is also a key factor. When you raise your SEER rating, you also get

• Improved humidity on unbearable, sticky summer days
• A smoother, quieter operation where your sleep and backyard hangouts aren’t interrupted by the loud hum of your cooling system
• More even, consistent cooling throughout your home, with fewer hot and cold spots

When you live in Colorado, especially near the water, the added control and SEER rating make a real impact, especially when humidity is on the rise and temperatures are on a roller coaster ride through the season. 

Is a Higher SEER Always Better?

Despite the scores of benefits for switching to a sky-high SEER rating, it’s not always better. A 20+ SEER system is incredibly efficient, but it may not make sense for every home. You should also consider

• How long do you plan to stay at the house?
• What are your cooling habits?
• What is your budget?
• Do you already have a reliable, sealed air duct system that is in good condition?

Of course, a Colorado Springs heat pump or air conditioner with a high SEER rating can also add more value to your property. If you’re not sure what to do, give the team at Big Cat a call and we’ll come out to assess your home, your usage, and your goals before recommending the best system for you.

Call Big Cat to Keep Your Home Cool, Efficient, and Comfortable.

Whether you want to explore upgrading your unit for a higher SEER rating or want to explore other options to make your home more efficient, Big Cat Plumbing, Heating & Cooling is here to help. We offer all of the services you need to keep your home cool and comfortable all summer long. Schedule your appointment today!

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