If your energy bills spike every summer, your air conditioner might be working harder than it needs to. An inefficient AC can quietly drain money without ever fully cooling your home.
The good news is that there are ways to address air conditioner inefficiencies. Here’s how to tell if your AC is working efficiently, and what to do if it’s not.
Understanding AC Energy Efficiency Ratings
If you’re worried about your air conditioner's energy efficiency, the first thing to look at is your SEER rating. A SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating is a measure of how efficiently an air conditioning or heat pump system cools a home. Higher SEER ratings are better and indicate that you’re paying less to cool your home. Lower SEER? You guessed it—you’re most likely throwing money out the window.
Where to Find the SEER Rating on Your AC
There should be a label attached to your central air conditioning unit that displays its SEER rating. If your unit doesn’t have a label, it might have been pulled off at some point. In this case, you can look up your unit on the manufacturer’s website or reach out to your manufacturer directly.
What’s a Good SEER Rating?
16-18: Above-average efficiency and a good option for most homes.
19-21: High-efficiency systems.
22 and higher: Ultra-efficient, often with additional advanced features.
Older units tend to have lower SEER ratings. If your rating is below 16 and you’re worried about your AC system’s performance, it might be time to consider installing a new, energy efficient air conditioner or upgrading to a heat pump or ductless mini split.
Signs Your Air Conditioner Is Inefficient
Usually, an inefficient air conditioner doesn’t break down right away. It just stops working as well as it used to. Here are some of the red flags to look out for.
1. Rising Energy Bills
If your energy bills are climbing but your usage habits and electric rate haven’t changed, your air conditioner is probably losing efficiency. This can happen slowly over time, driving your bills up more and more every month.
2. Your AC Can’t Keep Your House Cool
If your air conditioner is constantly running but your home still feels warm, it’s not performing efficiently. The problem could be anything from a clogged filter to low refrigerant or improper system sizing. Regardless, an AC that struggles to cool your home is likely wasting energy.
3. High Humidity in Your House
An efficient air conditioner should cool and dehumidify your home. If it feels humid inside your house, it could be a sign that your air conditioner is running inefficiently.
How to Improve Air Conditioner Efficiency
Sometimes, inefficiency issues can be addressed with AC repair or maintenance. If the problem is serious, you might need to consider installing a new system.
1. Prioritize AC Maintenance
The first thing that many homeowners who learn about SEER ratings tend to do is shop for the highest SEER cooling system they can find. While this is a step in the right direction, it overlooks the fact that even the best cooling systems must be properly maintained in order to operate efficiently.
If you purchased a high-efficiency cooling unit just five years ago, for example, you can expect to lose 5% efficiency with each passing year that maintenance has been overlooked. Many homeowners who haven’t had their AC units serviced for years find that they can tell the difference immediately once the work is performed.
2. Clean Your Air Filters Regularly
One of the easiest ways to maintain your air conditioner’s efficiency is to keep the air filters clean. Clogged filters restrict airflow, making your AC work harder to move cool air through your home. Most AC manufacturers recommend cleaning or replacing filters every 30-90 days.
3. Install a High-Efficiency AC or Heat Pump
If your system is more than 10–15 years old, even the best maintenance won’t bring it up to today’s efficiency standards. Installing a properly sized, high-efficiency unit could be your best option, lowering your cooling costs and improving overall comfort. You may even be eligible for rebates and incentives to help cover the cost if you choose to replace your AC with a heat pump.
Right now, you can save on heat pump installation with incentives like Clean Heat Rhode Island, which offers rebates to help income-qualified homeowners install heat pumps!
Need AC Help? CARJON Is Here for You
No matter what type of air conditioning issue you’re dealing with, CARJON is here to help. We’re a local HVAC company in Rhode Island offering AC maintenance, repair, and replacement services.
Book a service call for a professional AC evaluation today. We’ll evaluate your current system and make repairs if needed. If you're due for a replacement, we’ll help you compare your options and choose the best fit for your home.
