SEER Savings Calculator

1. Enter your current SEER and AFUE ratings. Check the nameplate on the existing outdoor condenser for SEER and the furnace data plate for AFUE. If unknown, 10 SEER and 80% AFUE are safe assumptions for systems over 12 years old.

2. Enter the new system's ratings. Use the SEER and AFUE from the equipment you're quoting. A 16 SEER / 96% AFUE combination is a common mid-tier upgrade.

3. Select the system size and enter local energy rates. Check the customer's utility bill for their electricity rate per kWh and gas rate per therm. System tonnage should match the existing or proposed equipment.

4. Choose the region or manually set cooling and heating hours. The region dropdown auto-fills typical annual runtime hours. Override them if you know the customer's actual usage or have local degree-day data.

5. Enter the upgrade cost and review the results. The calculator shows annual savings, payback period, 10-year net savings, and CO2 reduction — everything you need for a compelling proposal.

SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) measures cooling efficiency — the total BTU of heat removed per watt-hour of electricity over a typical cooling season. A 16 SEER unit uses 37.5% less electricity than a 10 SEER unit to produce the same cooling output. Higher SEER means lower operating costs every summer.

AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) measures heating efficiency for gas furnaces. An 80% AFUE furnace sends 20 cents of every dollar up the flue as waste heat. A 96% AFUE furnace captures almost all of that, cutting gas consumption by 20% compared to the 80% unit.

Together, SEER and AFUE represent the full picture of HVAC energy costs. In warm climates, the SEER improvement drives most savings. In cold climates, the AFUE upgrade often matters more. This calculator models both sides so you can show the customer exactly where their money goes.

The payback calculation divides the upgrade cost by total annual savings. Ten-year net savings projects the long-term financial benefit beyond the initial investment — the number that closes deals.

Sales presentations at the kitchen table. Pull this up on your tablet while sitting with the homeowner. Enter their current system specs, show them the annual savings in real dollars, and let the 10-year net savings number make the case for the higher-efficiency option. Numbers sell better than talking points.

Proposal justification for premium equipment. When you're quoting a 16 SEER system against a competitor's 14 SEER bid, this calculator proves the long-term value. Show the customer that paying $1,500 more upfront saves $3,000+ over 10 years. Attach the results to your written proposal.

Customer education on upgrade timing. When a customer asks "should I repair or replace?", run their current system through the calculator alongside the new option. If the annual savings alone cover a significant portion of the repair cost, replacement makes financial sense even before factoring in reliability.