By Hood Service Company · Corsicana, TX · Updated
The short version
- SEER2 replaced SEER as the required rating on January 1, 2023, using tougher test conditions.
- The same equipment scores lower on SEER2 than on SEER, so compare SEER2 with SEER2.
- Texas is in DOE's Southeast region, where split central ACs below 45,000 Btu/h need at least 14.3 SEER2.
- Correct sizing and installation affect real-world efficiency as much as the rating does.
What does SEER2 measure?
SEER2 is the cooling a system delivers over a typical season divided by the electricity it uses, measured under a standard test. A higher SEER2 means less electricity for the same cooling.
SEER stands for seasonal energy efficiency ratio, and the 2 marks the newer test procedure. The rating blends performance across a range of outdoor temperatures rather than one hot afternoon. A related number, EER, measures efficiency at a single hot test condition. The SEER entry in our glossary covers the basics.
How is SEER2 different from the old SEER rating?
SEER2 tests equipment against higher external static pressure, which is closer to how air moves through real ductwork. The same equipment scores lower on SEER2 than it did on SEER, so the two scales don't compare directly.
An older system's SEER number and a new system's SEER2 number aren't apples to apples. When you compare quotes, make sure each one lists SEER2, plus HSPF2 for heat pumps. Our guide to comparing HVAC quotes covers what else to line up.
What are the minimum efficiency requirements in Texas?
DOE regional minimums took effect January 1, 2023. Texas is in the Southeast region, where new split-system central ACs must reach 14.3 SEER2 below 45,000 Btu/h and 13.8 SEER2 at 45,000 Btu/h and above.
Minimums are a floor, not a recommendation. Packaged units and other equipment types have their own standards, so your contractor should confirm the rating for the exact equipment being installed. In Texas, that contractor must be licensed through TDLR.
- Split-system central AC below 45,000 Btu/h: 14.3 SEER2 minimum.
- Split-system central AC at 45,000 Btu/h and above: 13.8 SEER2 minimum.
- Split-system heat pumps: 14.3 SEER2 and 7.5 HSPF2 minimum.
Does a higher SEER2 rating always mean lower bills?
Not automatically. A higher rating uses less electricity for the same cooling, but what you actually see depends on your usage, your electric rate, the house and, above all, a correct installation.
The rating applies to a specific matched pairing of outdoor unit and indoor coil or air handler. Mismatched parts, an incorrect refrigerant charge, poor airflow or leaky ducts can pull a high-rated system well below its label. Higher-tier systems often use two-stage or variable-speed compressors, which can run longer at low speed and remove more humidity.
The SEER calculator lets you compare estimated operating cost between two ratings using your own usage.
How do you choose the right efficiency level?
Start with correct sizing, then compare SEER2 levels on equipment that fits your home. Weigh the difference in upfront cost against how long you plan to stay and how hard your system works in Texas summers.
Cost depends on the home and the equipment, so the clearest next step is to request a free estimate for AC installation and replacement. Financing through Wells Fargo, Synchrony and Snap Finance is available, subject to credit approval and lender terms.
- Ask for a room-by-room load calculation; our guide to HVAC sizing and load calculations explains why.
- Compare quotes at the same SEER2 level before comparing across levels.
- Ask whether higher-tier options are two-stage or variable-speed, and how that affects humidity control.
- Ask how the installer verifies refrigerant charge and airflow at start-up.
When should you call a technician?
- A newer system runs longer or cools worse than the one it replaced.
- Rooms stay humid even though the thermostat reaches its setting.
- Your electricity use jumps with no change in weather or habits.
- A recently installed system ices up, short cycles or runs noisily.
Frequently asked questions
Is SEER2 the same as HSPF2?
No. SEER2 rates cooling efficiency, while HSPF2 rates a heat pump's heating efficiency over a season. A heat pump carries both ratings, and both matter if you heat with it.
Can I still repair an older system that's below the new minimums?
Generally, yes. The DOE minimums apply to new equipment, not to repairing a system already in your home. Whether a repair makes sense is a separate question, which our guide to repairing or replacing your HVAC covers.
Where do I find my system's rating?
Find the model numbers on the outdoor unit's data label and on the indoor unit, then look up the matched rating with the manufacturer or ask a technician. Older equipment will be rated in SEER, not SEER2.
Does a higher SEER2 rating cool the house faster?
No. SEER2 measures efficiency, not capacity. Capacity is measured in tons or Btu per hour, and a system of a given size moves the same heat whatever its rating; a higher rating just means it uses less electricity doing it.