What Is SEER Rating? SEER vs SEER2 Explained | LC Heating & Air

What Does SEER Stand For?

SEER = Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. It measures the total cooling output (in BTU) divided by the total electrical energy input (in watt-hours) over a typical cooling season.

Think of it like MPG for your car: a 20 SEER unit uses less electricity to produce the same cooling as a 14 SEER unit, just like a 40 MPG car uses less gas than a 25 MPG car to drive the same distance.

SEER vs SEER2: What Changed in 2023?

In January 2023, the DOE switched from SEER to SEER2, which uses a more realistic testing procedure (higher static pressure to simulate real ductwork). SEER2 numbers are approximately 4.5% lower than SEER for the same equipment.

Quick conversion:

14 SEER ≈ 13.4 SEER2
16 SEER ≈ 15.2 SEER2
20 SEER ≈ 19.0 SEER2

All new equipment sold since 2023 is rated in SEER2. When comparing old vs new units, make sure you're comparing the same scale.

California Minimum SEER Requirements

California's Title 24 energy code sets higher standards than the federal minimum:

Split Systems (AC): 14.3 SEER2 minimum (≈15 SEER old scale)
Split Systems (Heat Pump): 14.3 SEER2 / 7.5 HSPF2 minimum
Packaged Units: 13.4 SEER2 minimum

Any HVAC contractor installing a system below these thresholds in California is violating code. Always verify your quote meets or exceeds these minimums.

How Much Does Higher SEER Save?

For a typical 3-ton AC running in Los Angeles (approximately 1,500 cooling hours/year at $0.25/kWh):

14 SEER → 16 SEER: Saves ~$150/year
14 SEER → 20 SEER: Saves ~$320/year
14 SEER → 25 SEER: Saves ~$400/year

The diminishing returns above 20 SEER often make the higher upfront cost hard to justify purely on energy savings. However, units above 16 SEER2 often qualify for utility rebates and federal tax credits up to $2,000.

What SEER Should You Buy?

Our recommendation for Los Angeles:

Budget-conscious: 14.3 SEER2 — meets code, lowest upfront cost
Best value: 16–17 SEER2 — significant savings, reasonable premium, often rebate-eligible
Maximum efficiency: 20+ SEER2 — inverter/variable-speed, qualifies for $2,000 federal tax credit
Ductless mini split: 20–38 SEER2 — inherently more efficient due to no duct losses

SEER Rating Cost & Savings Comparison (3-Ton AC, Los Angeles)

SEER	SEER2 Equiv.	Est. Annual Cost	Annual Savings vs 14	Rebate Eligible
14	13.4	$965	—	❌
16	15.2	$845	$120	⚠️ Some
18	17.1	$750	$215	✅ Yes
20	19.0	$675	$290	✅ Yes + Tax Credit
25	23.8	$540	$425	✅ Yes + Tax Credit

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good SEER rating?

A good SEER rating for Los Angeles is 16 SEER2 or higher. This provides meaningful energy savings over the minimum 14.3 SEER2 while keeping the upfront cost reasonable. For maximum efficiency, look for 20+ SEER2 inverter units.

What is the difference between SEER and SEER2?

SEER2 is the updated testing standard effective January 2023. It uses higher static pressure (0.5" vs 0.1") to simulate real-world conditions. SEER2 numbers are about 4.5% lower than old SEER ratings for the same equipment.

What is the minimum SEER rating in California?

California requires 14.3 SEER2 for split-system air conditioners and heat pumps, and 13.4 SEER2 for packaged units. These exceed the federal minimum and are enforced through Title 24 building code.

Is 20 SEER worth the extra cost?

In Los Angeles, upgrading from 14 to 20 SEER saves approximately $290/year. A 20 SEER unit typically costs $2,000–$3,000 more, so payback takes 7–10 years. However, the $2,000 federal tax credit for qualifying high-efficiency units can cut payback to 2–3 years.

Does SEER rating affect heating?

No. SEER only measures cooling efficiency. Heating efficiency for heat pumps is measured by HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor) or HSPF2. Gas furnace efficiency is measured by AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency).