What Is a Good SEER Rating for Edmond’s Climate?
If your air conditioner has trouble every summer or your electric bills skyrocket the moment that Edmond reaches triple digit temperatures, you might have an issue with your SEER ratings. Central Oklahoma's climate requires heating and cooling systems to run much harder and longer than in many areas of the United States; therefore, it is crucial to understand how SEER ratings can affect both comfort and energy expenses.
This article will describe a good SEER rating for homes located in Edmond, Okla., How SEER affects comfort and expense when considering energy efficiency and which SEER rating would be ideal for Oklahoma's weather conditions.
Why SEER Ratings Matter More in Edmond Than You Might Think
SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. It is an indicator of how effectively your air conditioner converts electrical power to cooling throughout an entire cooling season. The larger the SEER number, the smaller the amount of electricity your unit will use to cool your home.
That means a great deal in Edmond.
Edmond's summers are hot, humid and long. A/C units typically operate daily from late Spring until early Fall. As the temperature climbs toward 100 degrees and beyond, an AC unit operating at lower efficiencies will have to work harder, longer and increase your electric bill rapidly.
Beginning with the installation date of 2023, all newly installed air conditioning equipment in Oklahoma must meet a federal minimum standard of at least 15 SEER. However, simply meeting the federal minimum of 15 SEER does not necessarily represent the most effective choice regarding either long term comfort or cost savings.
What Is Considered a Good SEER Rating in Oklahoma?
Minimum SEER vs Practical SEER for Edmond Homes
Presently, the lowest (minimum) SEER rating allowed in Oklahoma is 15 SEER for new installations.
But "good" SEER rating is much more than simply meeting the minimum - it's finding that balance of up-front costs, your monthly energy bill savings, and your comfort level.
For most Edmond area homeowners:
A 15 SEER is good, and significantly better than an old unit
An SEER rating of 16 through 18 is usually the sweet spot for efficiency vs. value.
An SEER rating of 20+ offers you the highest possible efficiency, but at a higher cost for installation.
If your family's average summer cooling bill is $200 a month, this translates into a possible summer savings of between $25 and $40 per month.
How Higher SEER Ratings Lower Energy Bills
In order to realize the greater cost savings of higher SEER units as we go through an Oklahoma summer; the following are just a few examples that show how much you can expect to save when you switch from one SEER unit to a larger one.
Examples:
If you change from a 14 SEER unit to a 16 SEER unit you will likely save around 13% of what you spend on cooling each month.
In addition to the 13% you would save by switching to a 16 SEER unit from a 14 SEER unit, if you were to also switch to an 18 SEER unit you would save an additional 10 to 12% on your total energy bill during the summer months.
This equates to saving between $25 to $40 every month for a family who spends $200 per month on summer cooling.
Common SEER Misconceptions
Will I get cold air from an efficient system (higher SEER)?
No, you will not get cold air from a higher SEER rated unit. The higher efficiency of the system results in cooler temperatures but does this by cooling your home more efficiently as well as using steady and long cycles which help to remove excess moisture and provide more comfortable indoor temperatures.
Is the higher SEER always going to be the best value?
Absolutely not. High SEER units are best for people who plan on being in their home long term, people with very high energy costs, or people receiving incentives/rebates for installing them.
What Edmond Homeowners Can Do Next
Here’s how to choose the right SEER rating for your home.
1. Think About How Long You’ll Stay in Your Home
If you plan to stay for 10 years or more, higher SEER systems often pay for themselves through energy savings.
2. Review Your Summer Energy Bills
High electric bills during July and August often indicate an inefficient or aging system. The more your AC runs, the more efficiency matters.
3. Factor in Comfort, Not Just Cost
Many higher-SEER systems include variable-speed or two-stage technology. These features improve humidity control, reduce temperature swings, and make your home feel more comfortable at the same thermostat setting.
4. Look Into Local Rebates
Edmond Electric and regional utilities often offer rebates for higher-efficiency systems, especially units rated 17 SEER or higher. These incentives can significantly reduce upfront costs.
5. Get a Professional System Evaluation
Even the best SEER rating won’t help if the system is incorrectly sized. A professional load calculation ensures your system matches your home’s actual cooling needs.
Why SEER Ratings Matter So Much in Edmond
The heating and cooling needs in Edmond are unlike most other cities because of its unique climate characteristics for HVAC systems.
The conditions in this area include:
Extended cooling seasons
Extremely hot summer days
Excessive humidity during certain times of the year
Higher electricity bills due to increased usage from the peak hours
Higher SEER systems can handle all of these unique conditions much better than lower rated systems by requiring less electrical power over long periods of use. Additionally higher rated SEER systems have been shown to be compatible with local energy management programs that provide incentives to residents to use less energy and thereby take pressure off of the local electrical grid.
In many cases homeowners who reside in Edmond Oklahoma homes built prior to the 2001 model years will notice an improvement in their home's comfort level and decrease their monthly operating cost after they upgrade to a 16 or 18 SEER air conditioning unit.
Final Takeaways for Edmond Homeowners
15 SEER is the minimum allowed in Oklahoma
16 to 18 SEER is often the ideal range for Edmond homes
Higher SEER ratings reduce energy bills and improve comfort
Rebates may help offset higher upfront costs
Professional guidance ensures the best long-term results
Written by A&T Mechanical | Updated December 2025