Shopping for a new system? You’ll see ratings like SEER2 and HSPF2 everywhere. Here’s what they actually mean for your bills.
What SEER2 measures
SEER2 (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio 2) rates cooling efficiency — how much cooling you get per unit of energy over a season. Higher is more efficient. EER2 measures efficiency at peak heat, and HSPF2 rates a heat pump’s heating efficiency.
Why the “2” was added in 2023
In 2023 the industry switched from SEER to SEER2 using a tougher, more realistic test (higher static pressure that better reflects real ductwork). So a SEER2 number is a bit lower than the old SEER for the same unit — it’s not a downgrade, just a more accurate yardstick.
The minimums in our region
North Carolina is in the Southeast region, which has higher minimum efficiency standards than the North. For new split-system ACs the regional minimum is 14.3 SEER2, and heat pumps have their own minimums. Many homeowners choose higher to save more.
Higher SEER2 = lower bills (usually)
A higher-rated system uses less electricity to keep you comfortable through our long cooling season. The savings are biggest in homes that run AC a lot — which is most of them here. There’s a point of diminishing returns, though, so the highest rating isn’t always the best value.
Which rating should you choose?
Related:
AC Installation →
Heat Pumps →