Air Conditioners

SEER, or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, measures the efficiency of your cooling system – the higher the SEER, the more efficient the air conditioner. While there is no magic number for a SEER rating, a good rule of thumb is to look for systems that have a SEER of 13 or higher. Additionally, look for products that are ENERGY STAR® certified, a qualification that indicates the air conditioner has met strict energy efficiency standards set by the federal government and therefore has a good SEER rating.

Air conditioner noise levels are measured in decibels, or dBs. While the optimal noise level for your air conditioner comes down to personal preference, this handy list can help you understand just how loud a system you’re considering might be. Use this information to determine the air conditioner noise level you would feel comfortable having in your home.

• 80dB sounds like a garbage disposal.
• 70dB sounds like a vacuum cleaner.
• 60dB sounds like background noise or music.
• 50dB sounds like a quiet suburb or quiet conversation.
• 40dB sounds like the noise level inside a library.

Determine if your air conditioner may need to be replaced or repaired with our Repair or Replace tool. If you do plan to replace your air conditioner, consider the SEER rating, cooling stages, noise level, and cost.

An air conditioner draws heat energy out of the house and transfers it to the outside air. The most common setup for residential homes is a split system, which includes an inside-the-home evaporative heat exchanger and an outside condensing unit heat exchanger. Learn more about HVAC systems in our article “HVAC Systems: Basics to Know Before You Buy.”