What it calculates
Estimate relative cooling-energy savings from a higher SEER rating.
SEER Upgrade Savings Calculator
Estimate relative cooling-energy savings from a higher SEER rating.
Planning and estimating aid only. Verify project requirements, manufacturer instructions, adopted codes, permits, and field conditions before performing regulated work.
HVAC planning
How to Use This Calculator
Use the field units shown below, then compare your result with the worked example. Use comparable rating methods; do not silently mix SEER and SEER2 values.
How the calculation works
The comparison assumes cooling energy use changes inversely with SEER: estimated new cost = current cost × old SEER ÷ new SEER.
What the result means
Actual savings depend on climate, runtime, equipment condition, rates and installation quality.
Compare equal cooling loads using an efficiency ratio
For an annual cooling-only cost of $600, an old rating of 10 and a comparable new rating of 15, the estimate is $600 × 10 ÷ 15 = $400 after replacement. The difference is $200, or about 33.3%.
Contractor tip: Use comparable rating methods; do not silently mix SEER and SEER2 values. If the $600 is a whole-house electricity bill rather than cooling cost, the result will overstate this model’s cooling savings.
Verify the final quantity
This ratio assumes the same cooling demand, electricity price and operating conditions. It excludes installation cost, heating, fixed utility fees, repairs and changes in use. It is not a guaranteed bill reduction.
Good practice: Compare the calculated quantity with plans, specifications, product packaging and current field conditions before purchasing material.
Further reading: Department of Energy: cooling efficiency metrics and test procedures.