Homeowner planning tool

SEER cooling-cost calculator

Compare two cooling efficiency ratings using the same system capacity, cooling hours and electricity price.

Your inputs

Starts with example figures. Replace them with your own values; results update as you type. These examples are not equipment recommendations or current utility prices.

Cooling capacityUse the system’s rated capacity, not a size recommendation.Current SEER ratingCompare ratings measured on the same basis. Do not mix SEER and SEER2.Proposed SEER ratingUse the matched system’s rating.Annual cooling hoursEnter equivalent full-load hours for this estimate, not every hour of summer.Electricity price ($/kWh)Use your own electricity price. Fixed charges are not included.

Example calculation

Sample estimate

Current annual cooling cost: $648
Proposed annual cooling cost: $405
Estimated annual savings: $243

Check every input and read the assumptions below. Unchanged fields may still contain example figures.

What the result means

Assumptions and limits

An efficiency-only estimate, not a utility-bill prediction. Weather, part-load operation, duct losses and the installation affect actual use. Negative savings mean the proposed rating costs more in this model.

Cooling services

How this calculator works

Annual kWh = capacity in Btu/hour × cooling hours ÷ (SEER × 1,000). Multiply by your electricity price. Capacity and hours stay the same in both scenarios.

Before you decide

What your results mean

Use the result with its assumptions and limitations.

AC Replacement

Can I compare a SEER rating directly with SEER2?

Do not mix ratings measured on different test bases in this arithmetic. Keep capacity, equivalent full-load hours and electricity price the same, and use comparable matched-system ratings. The editable example illustrates efficiency-only energy cost; it excludes installation cost and does not predict the whole utility bill.

What does an efficiency-only example hold constant?

With 24,000 Btu/hour, 1,000 equivalent full-load cooling hours and ratings of 10 and 20 on the same SEER basis, the model gives 2,400 and 1,200 kWh. Those are illustrative inputs; they are not a prediction for your home.

Which details change a real cooling result?

Weather, part-load operation, ducts, installation and actual use are outside this simple comparison. Compare ratings measured on the same basis; do not mix SEER and SEER2.

Your next step

Discuss your home’s equipment

Bring the estimate and your questions. Equipment selection needs more information about your home than a calculator can collect.

RJ Sam’s technician wearing a branded navy T-shirt and cap, khaki pants, carrying HVAC tools beside a branded white van.