SEER2 Rules in Texas, Explained

SEER2 is the efficiency rating on new air conditioners. In Texas, a new split-system AC under 45,000 BTU/h has to rate at least 14.3 SEER2 if it's installed on or after January 1, 2023.

If you're shopping for a replacement and a salesperson is throwing numbers around, this is what they mean.

What SEER2 measures

SEER2 tells you how much cooling an AC gives for the electricity it uses over a typical cooling season. A higher number means a more efficient system.

You can think of it like miles per gallon on a car. It doesn't tell you how cold the air gets. It tells you how much electricity it takes to get there.

The Texas minimum

The US Department of Energy splits the country into regions. Texas is in the Southeast region. For split-system air conditioners, the minimums are:

The rule follows the installation date. A unit installed on or after January 1, 2023 has to meet it, with no exemptions. This page is about split systems, which are the most common setup. If your home has a package unit, the numbers can be different, so call us and ask.

The rule is for new installations. It doesn't force you to replace an AC you already have.

SEER and SEER2 are not the same number

You'll still see "SEER" on older equipment and in older ads. SEER2 came in with the 2023 standards and uses an updated test. The new test accounts for things like airflow resistance in the ducts, so it's closer to how a system works in a real home.

Because the test changed, a SEER2 number and an old SEER number aren't the same. Don't try to convert one into the other. Compare SEER2 with SEER2.

The rating belongs to the pair

An AC has an outdoor unit and an indoor coil. The rating belongs to the matched pair, not to the outdoor unit by itself. If you put a new outdoor unit with an old, mismatched coil, you may not get the efficiency on the label.

That's why you should ask any company for the AHRI certificate for the exact combination they're installing. AHRI is the trade group that certifies matched pairs, and the certificate has a reference number you can look up online. We explain this more on our condenser replacement page.

Is a higher SEER2 worth it in North Texas?

Not every house needs the highest number on the shelf. In milder climates, a high-SEER2 unit may not save enough energy to justify the higher up-front cost.

North Texas isn't mild. Summers are long, and the AC runs a lot of hours. The more hours it runs, the more a higher rating can matter. We won't promise you a savings number, because it depends on your home, your habits and your electric bill.

The motor matters too. Systems come with single-stage or variable-speed motors, and that's part of what changes a replacement. Our high-efficiency AC replacement page covers the options.

Questions to ask before you buy

• What's the SEER2 rating of the matched pair, not just the outdoor unit?
• Can I see the AHRI certificate for it?
• Is the system sized with a load calculation?
• Does it use a single-stage or variable-speed motor?
• Does the job need a permit? The City of DeSoto says permits are required for mechanical work its codes cover.

When you're ready

If your AC is 12 to 15 years old or more, or it keeps breaking, it may be time to look at replacing it. Our repair or replace checklist will help you decide. If you want to talk through it, call us. We'll walk you through your options before any work starts. You can also read about AC replacement in DeSoto, TX or AC and furnace replacement.

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