By increasing your SEER rating you can reduce your energy cost.  In general, your should expect about a 15-year life span for most HVAC units. A poorly designed and installed system may only last for 6 to 7 years, while a system that is properly sized, designed, and installed will last significantly longer.  The quality and craftsmanship of new HVAC system is the sole responsibility of the installing contractor. This is why consumer reports states that finding a trustworthy contract is what matters most.

“SEER” stands for Seasonal Energy-Efficiency Ratio, which is a measurement of air conditioner cooling efficiency developed by the U.S. Department of Energy. It’s a simple formula: the higher the SEER of your unit, the greater its efficiency – and the lower your operating costs.

SEER 25 and higher Split Air Conditioning Systems are available but they aren’t always cost effective. The higher SEER means larger coils and several compressors, even in residential applications. SEER ratings at the mandated minimum are usually the most cost effective when replacing old HVAC systems or installing new ones. However, in locations with extended cooling seasons, the higher SEER units become more practical as the energy usage cost weighs more heavily.

The R22 Phase Out is an opportunity to replace an aging and inefficient air conditioning system. Air conditioning systems installed before 2004 are approaching the end of their usable lifetime, typically around 15 years with regular maintenance. So 2020 begins the replacement cycle to higher efficiency systems that will save customers money and reduce emissions that are related with global warming.

The efficiency levels for residential central air conditioners under 45,000 Btu/hr.  in Nevada will soon be 14 SEER in the North and 15 SEER in the Southeast and Southwest; for products over 45,000 Btu/hr., the levels would be 14.5 SEER  in the Southeast and Southwest, and 14 SEER in the North. Heat pump efficiency levels would be set at 15 SEER for all regions in 2023.