HVAC manufacturers often claim higher-rated SEER cooling systems excel at removing excess humidity, lowering a home's carbon footprint more effectively, and reducing energy bills.
Less Humidity
Air conditioners with a higher SEER rating help remove moisture from your home. Your household will feel more comfortable and your worries of mold growth and poor indoor air quality can take a backseat.
Choosing 14 SEER vs. 16 SEER is a complex decision. The first thing to know is that a 16 SEER AC unit uses about 13 percent less energy than a 14 SEER unit. In layman's terms, for every $100 you spend with a 14 SEER AC unit, you would only spend about $87 with a 16 SEER unit.
A 20 SEER AC unit is 43 percent more energy efficient than a 14 SEER system, making it very eco-friendly. However, the cost difference for a 20 SEER unit vs a 14 SEER system is significant so make sure you do the math for your situation.
Cold And Clammy
Central air conditioning also works to lower humidity levels to increase the efficiency of cooling efforts and make your building more comfortable. The air conditioning unit's HVAC coil works to reduce humidity levels by condensing water vapor into liquid and then draining the excess.
AC Condenser Coils Need Cleaning
One reason your home is humid with the air conditioner running could be dirty condenser coils. Condenser coils are an important component of air conditioners. They use refrigerants to take heat and moisture from the indoor air and release the heat outdoors.
Yes, your air conditioner does remove humidity from the air. Well-maintained air conditioners help to keep your relative humidity between 30% and 50% — the ideal level. As long as you run your air conditioner regularly enough to keep your home cool, it will also keep humidity levels in check.
Most industry experts compare a SEER rating to a car's fuel efficiency. The higher the SEER, the more efficient the cooling system should be.
The standards have to keep evolving as the technology does or else we'd be stuck in the figurative stone age with our heating and cooling solutions. That's why the United States Department of Energy or DOE has decided to discontinue production of air conditioners with a SEER rating of 14.
According to the Kobie SEER Energy Savings Calculator, a 16 SEER unit uses about 13% less energy to produce the same amount of cooling as a 14 SEER unit of the same size. That means that for every $100 you'd pay to run your 14 SEER unit, you could save $13 by upgrading to a 16 SEER unit.
In general, a lower SEER rating isn't a better choice. While the highest SEER rated air conditioner isn't necessary in every home, the lowest SEER rated model can cost you in excessive energy bills. Even though low SEER rated units are cheaper to buy, you are likely to pay more in energy costs.
Minimum SEER Ratings for 2024
Packaged AC: 15.2 SEER2 and 11.5 EER2. Ducted split heat pump: 15.2 SEER2, 7.8 HSPF2, and 11.7 EER2. Packaged heat pump: 15.2 SEER2, 7.2 HSPF2, and 10.6 EER2. Mini-split system: 16 SEER2, 9 HSPF2, and 12 EER2.
The Bottom Line. If you have a really old air conditioning system, maybe rated around 8 or 9 SEER, a new, 14 SEER system will give you a significant boost in savings, efficiency, and comfort. But, in general, if everything else is equal—price, size, cooling needs—you're better off with a higher SEER rating.
Dirty Coils and Filters
Dirty evaporator coils and clogged air filters can hinder your air conditioner's ability to dehumidify the air. When the evaporator coil is dirty, it can't absorb heat and humidity as effectively. Similarly, a clogged filter restricts airflow, reducing the system's overall efficiency.
Several factors contribute to the humidity levels within a home such as the design, construction and materials, vapor retarder use, insulation, and how airtight the property is. Of course, the surrounding climate and temperature also have a direct effect on humidity.
When comparing dry vs cool mode, consider the conditions: Choose cool mode for days that are both hot and humid, as it addresses heat and moisture together. Opt for dry mode on damp or rainy days when humidity is high but the temperature is comfortable.
Starting January 1, 2025, all new residential air conditioners and heat pumps must utilize A2L refrigerants. Older refrigerants like R-410, which are likely the refrigerant used by your current system, are being phased out. These new systems are designed to have a lower global warming potential (GWP).
Two SEER-related changes began on January 1, 2023. First, the minimum SEER rating increased on HVAC equipment. Previously, new air conditioners required a minimum SEER of 13 in northern states and 14 in southern states. In 2023, it changed to 14 and 15, respectively.
You see, your AC's SEER rating will decrease over time. As it gets older, your air conditioner becomes less efficient. However, with regular maintenance, you can keep your air conditioning unit as efficient as possible as it ages.
In most cases, high SEER air conditioners run more quietly than lower SEER-rated ACs, especially if they have variable-speed compressors and less noisy fan motors.
16 SEER vs. 21 SEER ACs: Which is most cost effective? A 21 SEER AC will provide cheaper monthly energy bills. But here's the downside: Even with the monthly savings, it's unlikely that you'll ever recoup the higher upfront cost of the unit.
As the SEER rating increases, so does the efficiency of the system. SEER 13-14: These are standard efficiency units. Compared to older systems with lower SEER ratings, upgrading to a SEER 13-14 system can result in approximately 10-20% energy savings.
In most cases, set your thermostat's fan to “Auto” not “On” all the time. Especially in the hotter months, this setting will provide better dehumidification. When your fan is set to turn on automatically (i.e. “AUTO”), moisture is pulled from the air drains outside.
This can happen for several reasons, such as if the coils are dirty or if the air filter is blocked. When the coils are frozen, the AC can't evaporate the moisture in the air, which leads to higher humidity levels. If you think this might be the problem, check to see if the coils are frosted over.
Ceiling fans can be extremely beneficial in reducing humidity in a home because they are able to keep air circulating across an entire room and from the top down. Even a fan spinning at a low speed can help drastically with air circulation and lowering humidity.