Here we will discuss the 14.3 SEER2 vs 16 SEER AC units. This new SEER2 rating has caused quite a lot of confusion, especially when we want to compare SEER2 units to SEER units (14.3 SEER2 vs 16 SEER is the perfect example). No worries, though; we’ll explain the difference between 14.3 SEER2 and 16 SEER units in simple terms.
On top of that, you will probably want to know which unit is more energy efficient – 14.3 SEER2 or 16 SEER unit. In short, 16 SEER AC is 6.67% more efficient than the 14.3 SEER unit. To help you out with energy savings, we have created these 2 very simple tools you can freely use:
- 14.3 SEER2 vs 16 SEER Energy Savings Calculator. Here you insert the AC tonnage (Example: 3 ton AC) and electricity rates ($0.15/kWh), and you will automatically see how much money can 16 SEER unit save you compared to the 14.3 SEER2 unit.
- 14.3 SEER2 vs 16 SEER Savings Chart. We have calculated 1-year, 10-year, and 20-year savings for 1-8 ton AC unit at $0.15/kWh electricity prices and summarized all the results in a colorful chart.
Namely, the root of the confusion is the new SEER2 rating that started popping up in 2023. As you can read in this SEER vs SEER2 rating article, the US Department Of Energy (DOE) is now using higher (0.5 vs 0.1 inches of water column) external static pressure (ESP) to test the energy efficiency of air conditioners and heat pumps (cooling mode). Here is the basic premise:
- SEER rating is measured at lower 0.1 inches of WC ESP, and we get 14 SEER, 15 SEER, 16 SEER ratings, and so on.
- New SEER2 rating is measured at a higher 0.5 inches of WC ESP. Now we have to deal with these SEER2 ratings that are a bit lower than SEER ratings (about 4% – 5% difference). 16 SEER unit is now 15.2 SEER2 unit (more about this here), 15 SEER unit is now 14.3 SEER2 unit, and 14 SEER unit is now 13.4 SEER2 unit, for example.
This means that when we are comparing 14.3 SEER2 vs 16 SEER units, we are actually comparing:
- Old 15 SEER vs 16 SEER units (since 14.3 SEER2 = 15 SEER), or…
- New 14.3 SEER2 vs 15.2 SEER2 units (since 15.2 SEER2 = 16 SEER).
Let’s look at a quick example to illustrate how we can calculate energy expenditure and savings when comparing 14.3 SEER2 and 16 SEER units:
Suppose we have a 16 SEER unit and want to compare it to a 14.3 SEER2 unit. Both units are 3-ton units, and the price of electricity in our area is, let’s say, $0.15/kWh. We have to put both units in either SEER or SEER2. Let’s put them on SEER rating; which means that 14.3 SEER2 has the same efficiency as the old 15 SEER unit. Here are the energy expenditures and savings:
- 3 ton 14.3 SEER2 unit (basically 15 SEER unit) will run on average wattage of 2,400W. That means it will consume 2.4 kWh of electricity per hour. If we run it for 1,000 hours per year, that’s 2,400 kWh per year. At $0.15/kWh, that means it will cost to run $360 per year, $3,600 in 10 years, and $7,200 in 20 years.
- 3 ton 16 SEER unit will run on average wattage of 2,250W. That means it will consume 2.25 kWh of electricity per hour. If we run it for 1,000 hours per year, that’s 2,250 kWh per year. At $0.15/kWh, that means it will cost to run $337.50 per year, $3,375 in 10 years, and $6,750 in 20 years.
We see that, under these conditions, we will save $22.50 per year if we choose 16 SEER unit over 14.3 SEER2 unit. That is $225 in 10-year savings, and $450 in 20-year savings.
If the more efficient 16 SEER unit would cost, let’s say, $1,00 more than the 14.3 SEER2 unit, it makes a financial sense to go with 14.3 SEER2 unit since the 20-year energy savings ($450) don’t justify the difference in upfront cost ($1,000).
If, however, the 16 SEER unit would cost about $200 more than the less efficient 14.3 SEER2 unit, the smarter choice would be the 16 SEER unit since the 20-year savings ($450) will justify only a $200 difference in the initial cost.
Based on these calculations, we can decide is we should go with 16 SEER or 14.3 SEER2 units. Now, obviously, your electricity rates are usually not $0.15/kWh, and you might be looking for a 2 ton, 4 ton, 5 ton unit, instead of the 3 ton unit we used in the example.
To help you and simplify these calculations, we have prepared a 14.3 SEER2 vs 16 SEER savings calculator. Just insert AC tonnage and electricity rates, and you will see 1-year, 10-year, and 20-year savings.
To help you out even further, we have also calculated these 1-year, 10-year, and 20-year savings for 1-8 AC unit at $0.15/kWh and summarized the results in the chart below the calculator. Let’s start with the calculator, shall we?
14.3 SEER2 vs 16 SEER Energy Savings Calculator
Here is how this online 14.3 SEER2 vs 16 SEER calculator works:
Let’s say you want to figure out how much you will save by choosing 2.5 ton 16 SEER unit over 14.3 SEER2 unit. Based on your electricity bill, you are paying $0.17/kWh for electricity. Just slide the 1st AC tonnage slider to ‘2.5’, and the 2nd electricity rates slider to ‘0.17’. Here are the results:
By choosing 16 SEER over 14.3 SEER2 AC unit, you are saving $21.25 per year in electricity expenses. In 10 years, you will save $212.50, and in 20 years, you will save $425.00.
By comparing these savings with the quotes for 16 SEER and 14.3 SEER2 units, you now have a very good insight into which unit makes a more financial sense.
Here is the full 16 SEER vs 14.3 SEER savings chart for 1-8 AC units and heat pumps, at 1,000 running hours per year and $0.15/kWh electricity prices:
14.3 SEER2 vs 16 SEER Chart For 1-8 Ton Mini Splits
| Unit Size (Tonnage): | 1-Year Savings ($): | 10-Year Savings ($): | 20-Year Savings ($): |
| 1 Ton | $7.50 Savings Per Year | $75.00 Per 10 Years | $150.00 Per 20 Years |
| 1.5 Ton | $11.25 Savings Per Year | $112.50 Per 10 Years | $225.00 Per 20 Years |
| 2 Ton | $15.00 Savings Per Year | $150.00 Per 10 Years | $300.00 Per 20 Years |
| 2.5 Ton | $18.75 Savings Per Year | $187.50 Per 10 Years | $375.00 Per 20 Years |
| 3 Ton | $22.50 Savings Per Year | $225.00 Per 10 Years | $450.00 Per 20 Years |
| 3.5 Ton | $26.25 Savings Per Year | $262.50 Per 10 Years | $525.00 Per 20 Years |
| 4 Ton | $30.00 Savings Per Year | $300.00 Per 10 Years | $600.00 Per 20 Years |
| 5 Ton | $37.50 Savings Per Year | $375.00 Per 10 Years | $750.00 Per 20 Years |
| 6 Ton | $45.00 Savings Per Year | $450.00 Per 10 Years | $900.00 Per 20 Years |
| 7 Ton | $52.50 Savings Per Year | $525.00 Per 10 Years | $1,050.00 Per 20 Years |
| 8 Ton | $60.00 Savings Per Year | $600.00 Per 10 Years | $1,200.00 Per 20 Year |
As we can see, by opting for 16 SEER unit over 14.3 SEER2 unit, we are saving:
- Anywhere from $7.50 to $60.00 per year.
- Anywhere from $75 to $600 in 10 years.
- Anywhere from $150 to $1,200 in 20 years.
With the help of this chart and the calculator above, we hope that some of the confusion regarding the new 14.3 SEER2 units are solved. If you need any help calculating 14.3 SEER2 vs 16 SEER savings, you can use the comment section below, give us some numbers, and we will help you out.