Keeping Cool: A Guide to High-Efficiency Air Conditioners

If you are in the market for a new heating and cooling system, you might notice that variable-capacity equipment is becoming much more common. This shift is largely due to new efficiency standards that took effect in 2023 under the National Appliance Energy Conservation Act.

Understanding the New Efficiency Standards

The 2023 rules raised the bar for minimum efficiency requirements across the country. Here is what you need to know about the terminology:

SEER (Seasonal Energy-Efficiency Ratio): Residential systems now require a minimum SEER of 14 in the northern part of the United States. In the southern part of the U.S., the requirement goes up to a SEER of 15.

HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor): For systems that also heat your home, the minimum HSPF increased to 8.8, up from the previous standard of 8.2.

The Benefits of Variable-Capacity Equipment

To meet these higher standards, manufacturers are relying more on variable-capacity technology. While you will typically find this technology in higher-end equipment, it comes with several great benefits for homeowners:

These units boast much higher SEER ratings, meaning they are incredibly energy-efficient.

They operate more quietly than mid-tier or entry-level models.

They generally offer a wider range of features to keep your home comfortable.

Heat Pump or Air Conditioner: Which Do You Need?

Your location plays a massive role in what type of system you should buy.

Middle and Southern U.S.: Homeowners in these regions often use heat pumps, which handle both heating and cooling, because subzero temperatures are rare.

In more northern Canadian cities like Calgary, Edmonton and Winnipeg where the climate is colder for longer stretches of the winter months, central heat pumps stop producing adequate heat when temperatures drop to about 5°F. Because of this limitation, northern homes usually pair a variable-capacity air conditioner (which only cools) with a gas- or propane-fueled forced-air furnace equipped with a variable-speed blower.

Comparing Today’s Top Models

All major manufacturers now offer high-efficiency, variable-capacity heat pumps and air conditioners. Here is a quick comparison of some popular models on the market today:

Carrier Infinity 24 – Heat Pump
Up to 24 Cooling SEER
Up to 16 Cooling EER
Up to 13 Max Heating HSPF
51 db Noise Level

Lennox XC25 – Air Conditioner
Up to 26 Max Cooling EER
Up to 15.5 Cooling EER
N/A
59 db Noise Level

Allied Air Products Lynx – Heat Pump
Up to 18 Cooling SEER
Up to 11 Cooling EER
Up to 10 Max Heating HSPF
60 db Noise Level

Rheem RP 20 – Heat Pump
Up to 20 Cooling SEER
Up to 14 Cooling EER
Up to 11.5 Max Heating HSPF
59 db Noise Level

Trane XV20i – Air Conditioner
Up to 21 Cooling SEER
Up to 14 Cooling EER
N/A
43 db Noise Level