36k BTU, 1,200 hrs, old SEER 10, new SEER 16, $0.14/kWh, $8,000 upgrade
- Old kWh ≈ 4,320
- New kWh ≈ 2,700
- Savings ≈ 1,620 kWh (~$227)
- Payback ≈ 35.2 years
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HVAC SEER Savings Calculator
Compare old vs new SEER to estimate annual kWh and cost savings plus payback on an upgrade.
Results
- Annual kWh (old)
- 4320.00
- Annual kWh (new)
- 2700.00
- kWh saved per year
- 1620.00
- Annual cost savings
- $227
- Simple payback (years)
- 35.27
How to use this calculator
- Enter cooling load (BTU/hr) and annual cooling hours.
- Enter old and new SEER ratings and electric rate.
- Enter upgrade cost to see payback.
- Review kWh use, cost savings, and payback years.
Inputs explained
- Cooling load
- System capacity in BTU/hr (e.g., 36,000 BTU/hr = 3 tons).
- Cooling hours
- Estimated annual runtime hours.
- Old/New SEER
- Efficiency ratings for current and replacement systems.
- Electric rate
- Your $/kWh rate.
- Upgrade cost
- Installed cost of the new system for payback math.
How it works
kW = (BTU/hr ÷ SEER) ÷ 1000. Annual kWh = kW × cooling hours.
Savings = (old kWh − new kWh) × kWh rate. Payback = upgrade cost ÷ annual savings.
Formula
kW = (BTU/hr ÷ SEER) ÷ 1000 Annual kWh = kW × Cooling hours Savings = (Old kWh − New kWh) × Rate Payback = Upgrade cost ÷ Savings
When to use it
- Budgeting HVAC replacements and estimating energy savings.
- Comparing SEER levels to see if a premium unit pays back.
- Explaining savings to clients with clear kWh/cost numbers.
Tips & cautions
- Use realistic cooling hours based on climate and usage; higher hours increase savings.
- If your rate has tiers/TOU, use a blended rate for a quick estimate.
- Payback is simple; incentives/credits shorten it—subtract incentives from upgrade cost.
- Cooling hours and loads are estimates; actual use varies.
- Does not include heating mode savings for heat pumps.
- Simple payback only; does not model financing or time value of money.
Worked examples
48k BTU, 1,600 hrs, old SEER 9, new SEER 18, $0.20/kWh, $10,000 upgrade
- Old kWh ≈ 8,533
- New kWh ≈ 4,267
- Savings ≈ 4,266 kWh (~$853)
- Payback ≈ 11.7 years
Deep dive
This HVAC SEER savings calculator compares old vs new SEER efficiency to estimate annual kWh and cost savings, plus simple payback on an upgrade.
Use it to decide if a higher-SEER system is worth the upfront cost at your electric rate and runtime.
FAQs
- Heat pump heating savings?
- Not included—this focuses on cooling kWh only.
- Utility incentives?
- Subtract incentives/rebates from upgrade cost to shorten payback.
- Variable speed vs SEER2?
- Use the rated SEER/SEER2 values for each system; concept is the same.
- Demand charges?
- Not included; residential usually avoids demand charges.
- What if savings are small?
- Lower runtime or low rate can make payback long—consider comfort/reliability, too.
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Estimates only. Actual savings vary with climate, usage, and installation quality. Confirm with an HVAC professional and utility before purchasing.