SEER2: It may sound like a movie sequel, but it’s actually an update in the HVAC energy efficiency world! Air conditioners and heat pumps are an important part of everyday life in Las Vegas; they have to be, with how high the desert temperatures can soar.

An energy-efficient air conditioner can save you money on the electric bill every month. With new SEER2 efficiency measurements now in place, here’s what you need to know to find the best-performing new air conditioner for your Las Vegas-area home.

What Is a SEER Rating and What Does It Mean?

The original SEER acronym stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. It measures the cooling efficiency of an air conditioner or heat pump. A higher SEER number means more efficient cooling and less money spent on energy every month.

SEER ratings go as high as 30 (28.7 SEER2), but most homes have more affordable cooling units with a SEER from 15 (14.3 SEER2) to about 19 (18.1 SEER2). Most homes will never need a SEER at the highest end of the spectrum, and units with that level of efficiency are rare. Efficiency that high really only matters in very large buildings or commercial buildings that produce a lot of heat.

To determine the SEER, manufacturers closely measure the AC or heat pump in a controlled setting to ultimately divide the cooling output for a typical cooling season by the total electric energy input over the same period. Heat pumps undergo a similar testing process to determine their heating efficiency. Basically, SEER measures how much energy your air conditioner or heat pump uses to cool the home’s air for an entire season.

SEER and SEER2 are both calculated using the same ratio, but the way those numbers are measured has changed.

The New Measurement: All About the 2023 SEER Change

As of January 1, 2023, the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio 2 (SEER2) went into effect. This new guideline from the Department of Energy raises the minimum efficiency requirements that were already in place. More on why later, but let’s get into how this affects you first.

Do the HVAC SEER Rating Changes in 2023 Affect Me?

If you’re planning on getting a new air conditioner or heat pump installed, yes! Any new cooling systems must meet the SEER2 requirements listed above to be sold in the US, including in Las Vegas. Any knowledgeable HVAC technician will know the requirements and what units can and cannot be installed in Summerlin, Boulder City, Whitney, and the surrounding area.

Any cooling system installed before January 1, 2023, is not subject to these requirements. That means that if your unit was installed in 2022 or earlier and needs AC repairs, you won’t be required to install a new SEER2-rated system. Even if your current air conditioner doesn’t meet the rating minimums, you can keep it until it needs to be replaced due to performance issues.

What SEER Rating Do I Need?

The new efficiency rating requirements differ by region. In the Southwest region, which includes Nevada, these are the minimum SEER2 requirements for new air conditioners sold and purchased after January 1, 2023:

Type of Cooling System

Minimum Required SEER2 Rating

Central AC and Heat Pumps Below 45,000 Btu Cooling Capacity

14.3 SEER2 or higher

Central AC and Heat Pumps At and Above 45,000 Btu Cooling Capacity

13.8 SEER2 or higher

Single-package Unit (Main Cooling and Heating Components Are All in One Unit Outside the Home)

13.4 SEER2 or higher

In Las Vegas, the average home is 1,900 square feet, requiring about 36,000 Btu of cooling capacity. Since that comes in below our 45,000 Btu limit, your minimum SEER2 is most likely 14.3.

However, when it comes to which SEER2 rating is best for your specific home, options vary! The size of your home, number of occupants, energy efficiency of your home, and more can impact the best SEER2 for you. An HVAC professional can recommend the unit that will maximize your efficiency while staying on budget.

Why the Switch From How SEER Efficiency Was Measured?

With the introduction of a potentially confusing set of new numbers, many may be wondering: why bother? The answer is to produce an efficiency rating that more closely reflects how your cooling system works in the real world. A unit may perform one way in lab testing but completely differently once installed in a home.

SEER2 ratings are calculated using something called the M1 blower testing procedure. The new procedure changes the static pressure during testing up to five times, mimicking the way air pressure shifts during different weather conditions. In other words, SEER2’s M1 testing more accurately replicates real-world conditions.

Get Help Understanding the New SEER Rating Changes

One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Las Vegas is here to help! Our trained technicians know the latest SEER2 guidelines and can make sure that any new HVAC unit in your home not only follows regulations but is installed quickly and correctly. Enjoy an efficient air conditioner or heat pump in no time when you call (702) 602-8801 or book online today.