What Is a Good SEER Rating for Air Conditioners in Texas?

We Texas residents are no strangers to the summer heat. Odds are, you count on your air conditioner to keep your home cool and comfy on those hot, arid summer days, especially when you don’t have the time to beat the heat on the Guadalupe River or at Krause Springs. Your air conditioner’s effectiveness at cooling your home is measured using the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, or SEER, which is an efficiency measurement similar to gas mileage in your car.

So, what is a good SEER rating for AC in Texas? New central ACs under 45,000 British Thermal Units (BTUs), as well as all heat pumps, must have a SEER rating of 14.3, and larger systems must have a SEER rating of 13.8. Given the intense summer climate, a good SEER rating is between 16 and 18. In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about what the SEER rating is on an air conditioner, the best SEER ratings for Texas HVAC systems, and how to save money on your energy bills during a Texas summer.

Key Highlights

• An AC’s Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, or SEER, measures the energy consumption of the air conditioner compared to its cooling power.
• In Texas, new HVAC systems must meet minimum SEER ratings, which vary by system type and size.
• For optimal cooling performance and efficiency, we recommend that Texas homeowners choose ACs with a SEER2 rating between 15.2 and 17.2. 

What Is a SEER Rating?

Your air conditioner’s SEER rating is the measurement of your unit’s energy efficiency. It’s calculated by dividing the air conditioner’s cooling output by the total electricity used over the course of a cooling season, giving a precise figure of both energy consumption and cooling power. 

SEER vs. SEER2: Differences explained

In 2023, the U.S. Department of Energy adopted SEER2, a new standard for HVAC efficiency. Unlike the original SEER measurement, SEER2 accounts for real-world factors affecting efficiency, such as energy loss through ductwork. This generally means a SEER2 rating will be between 4.5% and 5% lower than the SEER rating for the same unit.

Understanding Texas SEER Rating Requirements

Texas has minimum SEER rating requirements for all new HVAC systems to comply with baseline efficiency laws. Here’s what you need to know about HVAC replacements in Texas:

• Split system air conditioners under 45,000 BTUs: Minimum of 14.3 SEER2

• Split system air conditioners above 45,000 BTUs: Minimum of 13.8 SEER2

• Heat pumps: Minimum of 14.3 SEER2

• Single-packaged HVAC units: Minimum of 13.4 SEER2

While these are the minimums required by law in Texas, that doesn’t mean they’re the best SEER2 ratings for the average homeowner.

What’s the Best SEER Rating for Your Texas Home?

Given the challenging summer climate in Texas, it’s no surprise that efficiency minimums aren’t necessarily the best option for real-world conditions. So what are good SEER ratings for AC systems in Texas? In our experience, the best rating for the average homeowner is between 16 and 18 SEER, or 15.2 to 17.2 SEER2. This is the sweet spot between system cost, energy efficiency, and access to advanced HVAC features like variable-speed compressors and improved humidity control.

Texans pay anywhere from $100 to $250 per month in cooling bills alone during the summertime, which means even marginal increases in SEER2 efficiency can make a big financial difference. By installing an efficient AC between 16 and 18 SEER, your unit could pay for itself within three to five summers of use.

Rebates and Tax Credits for High-SEER Systems in Texas

We’ve looked at what the best SEER rating is, but you won’t just see savings on your energy bills when investing in an efficient AC installation. There are also several rebates, tax credits, and financial incentives available from the state and federal governments, as well as some utility providers. These include:

• Federal Incentives: The Energy Efficiency Home Improvement Credit allows homeowners to claim up to 30% of the costs of a new HVAC installation. For split ACs, your system must have a SEER2 rating of 17 or higher to claim these credits.

• State-Administered IRA Rebates: The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) offers rebates of up to $8,000 for whole-house efficiency retrofits under the Home Owner Managing Energy Savings (HOMES) program and up to $14,000 for efficient heat pump installations through the Home Electricification and Appliance Rebate (HEAR) program.

• Utility Rebates: Oncor, Austin Energy, and CenterPoint Energy offer a variety of rebates and incentives for homeowners who upgrade their HVAC systems to higher-efficiency models. 

Many of these rebates and incentives offer benefits for investing in air conditioners, heat pumps, and furnaces. Depending on the rebates you’re considering, it might be worth replacing your furnace and air conditioner at the same time to maximize the rebates you’re eligible for.

If you’re looking to save as much as possible on your HVAC system, our team can help you understand rebates, financial incentives, and tax credits. We’ll ensure your new system is highly efficient to keep monthly costs to a minimum, and we help make new systems even more affordable with flexible HVAC financing on new installations.

Making Sense of SEER Ratings in Texas

If you’re ready to quit worrying about monthly energy bills and simply enjoy a cool, comfortable home without breaking the bank, the team at Amarillo Air has you covered. Our HVAC technicians work closely with homeowners to help them find the perfect air conditioner for their budget, cooling needs, and efficiency requirements, and of course, we’re here to install it to perfection as well. For more info on SEER, SEER2, and making sense of these ratings in your Texas home, don’t hesitate to contact us today.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum SEER rating in Texas?

Split-system air conditioners in Texas are required to have a SEER2 rating of 14.3 or higher. This is only the minimum, and the optimal SEER2 rating is higher.

Is a higher SEER rating worth it?

A higher SEER rating can be worth it, especially in the range of 15.2 to 17.2 SEER 2. If your home is well-insulated and sealed, you could even see benefits from a system rated at 18 SEER2 or higher.

What SEER rating qualifies for a tax credit?

SEER rating requirements vary depending on the tax credit you want to receive. Generally, your system will need a SEER2 rating of 17 or higher.

How do I find the SEER rating on my current air conditioner?

You can find the SEER rating of your current air conditioner on the outdoor condenser unit. The rating will be listed on the yellow EnergyGuide sticker.

Is it worth going from 14 SEER to 16 SEER?

Upgrading your HVAC system from 14 to 16 SEER can definitely be worth it. You could see a cooling cost reduction of up to 14% from this upgrade, helping to offset the cost of the new air conditioner.