See how much a more efficient air conditioner or heat pump could save on cooling. Enter the old and new SEER or SEER2 ratings, the system size, your cooling hours and electricity rate to get the annual savings, the payback period and the savings over the system's life.
Last updated:
Current and new system
BTU/h
%
Older, poorly maintained units often run below their rating. 0 = use the rating.
Use and costs
hours
Full-load equivalent hours: ~500–800 in cool climates, 1,000–1,500 mid, 2,000+ in hot climates.
$per kWh
US residential average was roughly $0.16–0.17/kWh in 2024 (EIA). Use your bill.
$
Installed price, or only the extra cost over a minimum-efficiency unit if you are replacing anyway. Subtract rebates.
years
% per year
0 for flat prices.
Enter your values to see the result.
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How to use the SEER Savings Calculator
Enter the current and new ratings and choose SEER or SEER2 for each (new units are rated in SEER2).
Pick the AC size in tons or enter the BTU/h capacity.
Enter cooling hours and your electricity rate from your bill.
Add the upgrade cost (minus rebates or credits) and the years to compare.
Read the annual savings and payback, and compare other efficiency levels in the table.
Annual savings = (kWhold − kWhnew) × electricity rate. Payback = upgrade cost ÷ annual savings (the calculator also handles rising prices year by year).
Because use is proportional to 1 ÷ SEER, the share of cooling energy saved is 1 − SEERold ÷ SEERnew. Ratings are put on the same basis first: SEER ≈ SEER2 ÷ 0.95.
Example: a 3 ton system, 1,200 hours a year, $0.17/kWh. Old 10 SEER: 36,000 × 1,200 ÷ 10,000 = 4,320 kWh ($734). New 16 SEER2 ≈ 16.84 SEER: 2,565 kWh ($436). Savings ≈ $298 a year; a $6,500 upgrade pays back in about 22 years at flat prices, so it makes most sense when the old unit needs replacing anyway and you count only the price difference.
Energy saved by SEER upgrade
Percentage reduction in cooling electricity, from 1 − old ÷ new (same rating basis).
From \ To
14 SEER
16 SEER
18 SEER
20 SEER
8 SEER
43%
50%
56%
60%
10 SEER
29%
38%
44%
50%
13 SEER
7%
19%
28%
35%
14 SEER
—
13%
22%
30%
US minimum efficiency (since 2023)
Equipment (split system)
North
Southeast and Southwest
Central AC under 45,000 BTU/h
13.4 SEER2 (≈14 SEER)
14.3 SEER2 (≈15 SEER)
Central AC 45,000 BTU/h and up
13.4 SEER2
13.8 SEER2 (≈14.5 SEER)
Heat pump
14.3 SEER2
14.3 SEER2
Source: US Department of Energy regional standards effective January 1, 2023. The Southwest also has an EER2 requirement for central air conditioners.
Frequently asked questions
How do you calculate SEER savings?
Annual cooling kWh = capacity (BTU/h) × cooling hours ÷ (SEER × 1,000). Work this out for the old and new SEER and multiply the difference by your electricity rate. For a 3 ton (36,000 BTU/h) system running 1,200 hours: 10 SEER uses 4,320 kWh and 16 SEER uses 2,700 kWh, saving 1,620 kWh, about $275 a year at $0.17/kWh.
What is the difference between SEER and SEER2?
SEER2 is the rating used for new US systems from January 1, 2023. It is measured under a revised test procedure with higher external static pressure, closer to real ductwork, so SEER2 numbers are lower for the same equipment. A common approximation for ducted split systems is SEER2 ≈ SEER × 0.95.
How much can I save going from 10 SEER to 16 SEER?
Going from 10 to 16 SEER cuts cooling electricity by about 37.5%, because energy use is proportional to 1 ÷ SEER. Your dollar savings depend on how much you cool: in a hot climate with 2,000+ hours it can be several hundred dollars a year for a 3 ton system; in a mild climate much less.
What are cooling hours?
Cooling hours here means equivalent full-load hours: the number of hours a year the AC would run at full capacity to deliver the season's cooling. Typical values range from about 500–800 hours in northern states to 2,000–3,000 hours in the hottest southern climates.
Is a higher SEER air conditioner worth it?
It is most worthwhile where cooling hours and electricity prices are high. Savings shrink with each step up: going from 14 to 16 saves less than from 10 to 12. Compare the extra cost of a higher-rated unit with its added savings, and include rebates or tax credits that may apply.
What is the minimum SEER2 rating for a new AC?
Since January 1, 2023, US federal minimums for new split-system central air conditioners are 13.4 SEER2 in northern states and 14.3 SEER2 in southeastern and southwestern states (13.8 SEER2 for systems of 45,000 BTU/h and larger there). Split-system heat pumps must meet 14.3 SEER2 nationwide.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.