SEER Rating Savings Calculator
See how much you could save by upgrading your AC or heat pump to a higher SEER2 rating. Enter your address for Sacramento-specific electricity rates and cooling hours.
Your Estimated Savings
🏷️ SMUD rebates available: up to $3,000 for heat pump + up to $2,000 federal tax credit. Stack with your savings above.
Ready to see what a new system would actually cost — with rebates included?
SEER Rating FAQ
What is SEER2 and how is it different from SEER?
SEER2 is the updated 2023 standard that measures real-world efficiency more accurately than the old SEER rating. SEER2 accounts for higher external static pressure, making it about 4-5% lower than the equivalent SEER rating. California now requires minimum 15.0 SEER2 for new AC installs.
How much can I really save with a higher SEER?
Going from 13 SEER to 18 SEER saves roughly 28% on cooling costs. In Sacramento, where AC runs 1,200+ hours per year, that's typically $300-$600 annually. Over a 15-year system life, that's $4,500-$9,000 in savings. Use the calculator above for your specific numbers.
Is a high-SEER system worth the extra upfront cost?
For most Sacramento homeowners, 16-18 SEER2 hits the sweet spot — good efficiency gains without the premium pricing of 20+ SEER2 systems. The payback is typically 5-8 years, and with SMUD rebates and federal tax credits, the net cost difference shrinks significantly. Above 20 SEER2, payback stretches to 12-15 years, which may not make sense unless you plan to stay long-term.