SEER – New Changes For 2023
Change is inevitable, and the heating and air conditioning business is no exception to that rule. At Thornton’s, we’ve been staying on top of all of the changes happening in our industry for 49 years, so we can make sure you’re up to date. Major changes are coming to the HVAC industry in 2023. What does that mean for you?
A Change in SEER. If you have an air conditioning unit, you have SEER. SEER is seasonal energy efficiency ratio explained here. You know it as that big bright yellow sticker on your outside unit. To help you understand, SEER is the ratio that measures your cooling efficiency of your a/c unit. The higher the SEER, the more energy efficient your unit will be in most cases, causing you a significant savings on your electric bill. SEER ratios can go up as high as 25 for the most energy efficient unit. Currently in North Carolina, the minimum SEER is 14. It’s true that the higher the SEER, the larger the up front investment of your unit, but most owners find that these units pay for themselves over time by the significant savings on energy usage.
According to Duke Energy, “Heating and cooling use the most energy in an average household – more than 40% of your monthly bill comes from the energy needed to heat and cool your home.”
In 2023 The Department of Energy will raise the minimum SEER requirements to 15 in most of the south and southeast, including North Carolina. These changes will take effect January 1st and yes, due to the higher requirements, this can mean manufacturers will need to increase their prices to meet the minimum standards. Any new units installed prior to January 1, 2023 can still be installed under the 14 SEER requirements.
The Good News. If your existing unit is a 14 SEER or below, you won’t have to make any changes! That means the majority of homeowners won’t notice any changes until it comes time to install a new unit – normally 10-15 years. However, if it’s time for a new HVAC unit, your unit needs constant repairs or it’s not heating or cooling properly, give us a call for a free estimate.
Why keep old, outdated equipment that is likely costing you hundreds of extra dollars each year on your electric bill when you can easily replace your unit? We even offer *financing options to pay over time, too. Many factors determine which type of unit is right for your home and business but our trained professionals are happy to discuss your options.
Change doesn’t have to be scary. At Thornton’s Heating & Air we’re here for you every step of the way, to answer any questions and explain new changes. Call us today for your free estimate and stay up to date on SEER.
