Energy Efficiency
SEER Rating
Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio — a measure of your air conditioner or heat pump's cooling efficiency over an entire season, where higher numbers mean lower operating costs.
What Is a SEER Rating?
SEER is calculated by dividing the total cooling output over a season by the total electrical energy used. Current federal minimum is SEER2 15 for Southern Oregon (northern climate zone). Higher SEER units cost more upfront but save money on electricity over their lifetime. Most residential systems range from 14 to 25+ SEER. The SEER2 rating is an updated testing standard introduced in 2023 that uses slightly different conditions, so SEER2 numbers are typically a bit lower than the old SEER numbers for the same equipment.
Why It Matters for Your Home
A higher SEER rating directly translates to lower cooling costs. However, the efficiency gain between each SEER point decreases as you go higher — the jump from 14 to 16 SEER saves more proportionally than 20 to 22 SEER. Your best value depends on how much you use AC, local electricity rates, and available rebates. Energy Trust of Oregon often offers rebates for higher-efficiency equipment.
Want help finding the right efficiency level for your budget? Call Trademark Tek at 541-500-0663.
Quick Facts
Category
Energy Efficiency
Also Known As
SEER Rating
