If you want to know whether your air conditioner is energy-efficient, start with its SEER2 rating. SEER2 (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio 2) measures how efficiently your AC system cools your home over an entire season. The higher the SEER2 rating, the less energy your system uses and the lower your utility bills. If you want to keep your system running efficiently, our team at JMS Air Conditioning and Heating is here to breakdown SEER2 ratings and what they mean for your power consumption.
What Is a SEER2 Rating?
SEER2 stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio 2. It’s calculated by dividing the total cooling output of an air conditioner over a typical cooling season by the total energy it consumes. In simple terms:
- Higher SEER2 = more efficient system
- Lower SEER2 = more energy used to produce the same cooling
Most older systems in Los Angeles homes fall in the 8–13 SEER2 range, while newer systems typically start at 14.3 SEER2 and can go up to 20+.
How SEER2 Impacts Your Energy Bills
When you live in a climate like Los Angeles, your air conditioner is probably the biggest energy user in your home. A low SEER2 system has to work harder and run longer to achieve the same temperature. Those results show up directly in your energy bills.
For example, upgrading to a system with a higher efficiency rating can reduce cooling energy use by up to 35–40%. Over time, that difference adds up, especially during peak summer months.
Signs Your AC May Not Be Energy-Efficient
There are ways to tell that your system isn’t operating efficiently, even without checking the SEER2 rating.
- Rising energy bills without increased usage
- Longer run times to reach the same temperature
- Uneven cooling throughout the home
- Frequent repairs or system cycling
- System age over 10–15 years
If you’re seeing two or more of these signs, your system may be underperforming.
Is It Worth Upgrading?
If your current AC has a low SEER2 rating and you plan to stay in your home, upgrading can make sense. While higher-efficiency systems have a higher upfront cost, they also directly reduce monthly expenses and put less strain on the system over time. With LA’s extended cooling season, new systems tend to pay off faster than in milder climates.
Stay Ahead of High Energy Bills This Summer
Understanding your SEER2 rating is one of the simplest ways to evaluate your AC’s efficiency. If your system is aging or has a low rating, it’s probably driving up your power bill every month. Understanding where your AC system stands helps you make better decisions about repairs, maintenance, or replacement.
When you call JMS Air Conditioning and Heating, we help you stay ahead of seasonal changes. Our expert service and dependable solutions help keep your space cool all season long. Contact us today to schedule your spring maintenance and make sure you’re ready for the summer heat.
JMS Air Conditioning and Heating has your back. Contact us today to schedule AC maintenance in Los Angeles.
