For years as new technology has come out in the HVAC industry, there has been push back. Old school thinkers have used the extra cost as reason to not invest in the higher SEER heating and air conditioning equipment.
However, after installing enough systems to be able to compare utility bills from homeowners selecting good systems and best systems, we're now seeing the upside to investing in high efficiency systems.
Daikin‘s energy calculator https://daikincomfort.com/EnergyCalculator/introduction
For more information on Griffin Air, visit https://www.griffinair.net/
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You can purchase a "2 to 3 Ton 20 SEER Variable Speed MrCool Universal Central Heat Pump Split System" by clicking here: https://amzn.to/3gUZqkB
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Hey guys before we get to the video for more tips and tricks in the heating and air industry, please click that subscribe button. Thank you. Hey guys, josh with the new hvac guide and griffin air wanted to do a video, because i've been doing these videos on secrets, three secrets: three more secrets in the hvac industry. So if you haven't seen any of those videos check those out, but i wanted to do a video peeking back off of one of them because in one of those videos i talked about higher seer systems, and i even mentioned that most of old school thinking, guys That will tell you that it's not worth it to install an inverter communicating system have usually not installed very many of those, and i stand by that original statement.

The whole reason for this video is because i've had some pushback. I've had some comments from other heating and air guys, and i figured i would. The things they are saying are is simply not making any sense, and i stand by my original statement. I told them that i guaranteed if they had installed half as many inverter systems as we have, then they would probably not be seeing what they're saying so they didn't say anything to that which makes me believe.

I'm right they have not installed as many hostier systems as we have, but why does that matter ultimately to keep it short and sweet? One of the comments that i got was he said it's just simple math. Well, i agree with that. It is simple math. If i can save a homeowner just dollars a month and just realize, i've had homeowners that have saved hundreds, plural more than a hundred dollars.

But, let's just say a hundred dollars a month. And let's just say that installing the top tier system is only five grand more and you might say, five grand goodness, i'm saying if there's a five grand difference between the good option and the best options, if you're getting a good, better best and there's a five Thousand dollar difference now there may be more than that, maybe less than that, but i'm just using that for this example. So if you're gon na save a hundred dollars a month on your utility bills, by going from the good to the best, then within five years, you're going to be in the black, it is simple: math, you're 100 right to the guy. That told me that it's simple math you're 100 right, it is simple math and i hope that helps if you're a homeowner.

I hope, if you see this and you're not quite sure, is it worth it now? One of the questions i get all the time is: is it worth it to go from this sear up to this seer and all that? Well, there's too many variables to answer that question. Is it your primary home? We have customers that it's not they're, not there enough for it to make sense. They're not gon na save hundreds per month, it's their second home or it's an airbnb or it's a vacation home and it's not getting as much mileage and so you're not gon na see the savings. Maybe we're only talking a couple seer and doesn't really make sense to jump up.
So if you're, going just from a 14 single stage system, 14 seer system up to a 16 seer single stage system might not make a difference depending on if it's your primary home, depending on how much you use it and so on. It's sort of like saying: well, i'm going to buy a really economical grade on gas mileage car instead of you know this hot rod that burns gas all the time and it costs a little bit more. Does it make sense to you know to spend the extra money? Well, how much you plan on driving? It doesn't make sense if you're, if you're planning on buying it sitting in the garage, maybe it doesn't make sense to spend the extra money. But if we're talking about going from a single stage system, if you haven't watched my video on inverter systems, where i go through the differences between a single, multi-stage and inverter system check that out.

But if you're talking about going from just a single stage, i don't care about the seer, if you're talking about going from a single stage, either on or off with spikes in energy to an inverter system with one of the big name brands. You know a really good system: high seer inverter communicating system you're going to see a possible savings. That can be quite significant and i hear all the time people say well josh. You know i want to attach a number to that.

How much am i going to save? No one can answer that. I don't care how good they are. They can do a proper sear measurement figure out the andro of your home and all the variables and this, and that but they'll never be able to tell you exactly how much money you're gon na save, because there's again there's too much variable nothing else. The weather plays a difference, so all we can do is just kind of make an educated guess go off of other people's experiences and i've got customers that are saving 100 200 300 a month on their utility bills, and did it make sense for them? Absolutely? I have one customer in particular that within one year it made the difference they were in the black because they went with the cadillac, the cat's, meow heating, an air system, and it's so efficient that their utility bills have dropped dramatically.

They're in the black after a year, so can i promise you that you're gon na get those results? Obviously not, but just like. I can't promise you that you are going to get those results, those guys that are telling you, oh, it doesn't make sense and the parts cost more and they obviously have not installed as many of these units, as we have last thing i will do, is i'm Going to put a link down in the description daikin has a calculator on their website that you can go to and see the savings just from raw math. So if you put in okay, i'm looking at this system and it's a 14 seer or my old system - is this year or whatever, and now i'm going to put in a 17 seer fit or inverter system of some kind. What would my savings be? They've got a calculator to see if it makes sense for you.
They even get you to put info about your home in there. So i'm going to put a link to that down in the notes check that out, and i hope that helps thanks for watching. The last thing i'll say is if you're in the market for a new heating and air system and you're in virginia and the middle peninsula or the northern neck, give griffin air a call. We'll give you a free estimate and the best warranty in the area.

But if you're, not in our coverage area check out my new website, i've even got a little banner up here. Newhvacguide.Com check out that site, because we've put so much information on there. It's as if i wrote a book telling folks, hey here's, the good and the bad avoid this or that i've even got a whole page called no knows things to stay away from, and so before you spend thousands check out that website and finally, for more tips And tricks in the heating and air industry click that subscribe button thanks for watching you.

19 thoughts on “Hvac argument with other pros. high vs low seer systems. simple math.”
  1. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Bryce Lawmaster says:

    i have to disagree with you on this one. as far as cooling goes here in florida you will never save enough on your electric bill to pay for 20+ seer equipment. not even close. i have an 1800 sq ft home with a 13 year old 13 seer ac system and my electric bill never goes above $200 and most of the year its below $140. once you get above 16-17 seer the savings isnt greater than the cost. that being said the high seer inverter systems are going to make the house more comfortable but the electric bill isnt going to be any less than if it were a 16-17 seer. might be different up not due to heating but not here.

  2. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jurassic Tech says:

    My system has GOT to go. Its a 24 year old York 3.5ton. Its the base grade. It was mnfg. in 1997… First four letters were EKFM…. so base builder grade.

    my electric bill last month was ~279.00. 209 of which was JUST the HVAC, the entire rest of my house was only 70.00 to run…. yikes.. Next spring I think I have to go whole hog and upgrade everything, as much as that will suck to have to do. I do plan to stay in the house a very long time so I think for me it will make sense to get the best I can afford. Are you in Barrhaven ?

  3. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Tito G says:

    My electric bill is about 120. 00 a month average with a 10 seer , replacing with 16 seer if i go up to 22 will cost me 6,000.00 more i don’t think i will recover the difference (simple math) 😀

  4. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars W D says:

    Let me clear this Bernie Sanders math up. Your savings will depend in what part of the country you live in example. If you live in Florida and you get let's say a 18 seer system for 15k. You are running your system mostly the whole year ( 8760 hours) you can see a faster return in your investment 5 to 8 years. However if you live in Michigan where you run your system on and off for 3 to 4 months that 5 to 8 years know becomes 20 to 25. So it would not be worth it to get an 18 seer system. If you went balls out in the north and got a 22 seer you probably are not going to live long enough to see a return on your investment PERIOD.

  5. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jeff Kinkopf says:

    Great videos! I am receiving quotes for heat pumps I am located near Richmond VA. I have a quote between a 14 seer and a 16 seer and the difference in cost is $1200. Using the calculators I have found online my 20 year savings would only be about $1000, but I know that heat pumps run more than other systems, would you happen to know the number of hours an average heat pump runs in Virginia, so I can get a better estimate of savings?

  6. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars David Hanson says:

    In MN where we use our AC for 3.5 to 4 months does an inverter system make sense? I would spend for the upgrade if so. One local company said only a 13 seer system makes sense. What about geothermal vs air? Service area Orleans??

  7. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars David Hanson says:

    Looking to upgrade our 21 yr old system. Am learning so much watching your videos thanks!!

  8. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Kyle Kremer says:

    Love the videos! Have 2 bids I need to choose between, having analysis paralysis!

    $9750 – Lennox SL280V Furnace, ML14 AC

    $10258 – Trane TUD2-9V, ML14

  9. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Poe Lemic says:

    Yes, I am currently (mentally) working on making a decision between a higher seer system and lower-seer. And, this video helps me feel more confident in making the decision that I've analyzed and (potentially) selected. For me, I have to take a lot into consideration because I am replacing everything, and I have two systems — one a 4 ton on 1st floor and 3 ton on 2nd floor. So, it is not a trivial decision. So, these type of videos do help all of us here in in YT Land to have a way to help influence our decision/s on which way we go. Because, for the direction I am going, it is like buying a new budget car. It is in the $20k's. Not a small sum, so your guidance helps everywhere here to make better decisions and protect their family's budgets. In my situation, I also have kids to think about, making the bills too, and still being able to take care of my elderly parents — who depend on my financial decisions. So, thanks for the video.

  10. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars TheRealRick says:

    14seer all the way, unless 2stage or variable speed is needed for say zoning ect. its not about energy savings its about reliability, and durability against power surges/ random part failures.

  11. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Lloyd Demarest says:

    I had a Trane 14 seer single stage package unit….switched over to a bosch 19 seer inverter Package unit in arizona… i also keep track of kilowatts the past 2 weeks so i can compare the new unit. If i save 20 kilowatts or more a day i am happy 😊

  12. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars R2 Gmail says:

    3 weeks ago, i went from a single stage, 5 ton, 17 yr old Rheem heatpump to a 2 stage, 16 seer, Carrier heatpump system. is that an Inverter type that you talk about? I'm not seeing a big savings , yet. i live in san antonio, Texas. temperatures are starting to climb, maybe ill appreciation it more as summers heat up. btw, would you recommend i pay $800 more to have an NIM controller board and thermostat upgrade, so the outside and attic units can communicate????? Im told that interface controller is on backorder with no expected arrival date known, and prices or going up because of high demand and supply shortages— is that true???

  13. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jackie says:

    You only use ac in the summer. Your math is wrong Are you in Kanata ?

  14. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Brian Sterling says:

    Really depends on where you live. Florida makes a lot of sense to do high efficiency. In New Jersey we have probably less then 30 days over 90. Takes forever to get a return on investment. Heat makes sense to do high efficiency.

  15. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars eastafricansolargeek says:

    Just had three daikin 19seer mini splits installed total cap of 4.25 tons …..area used to be conditioned 10ton package unit. Simple math!!! Great video.

  16. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Wayne Springer says:

    I'm "that guy" you were referring to and You still don't understand simple math. You do not run your AC 12 months out of the year, if you are lucky you get 5 months out of the year 5X$100/month Divide by the $5000 more you paid for the system means it takes 10 years just to BREAK EVEN before you see ANY savings.

    That customer who "told you after 1 year they were in the black" straight out lied to you as that is IMPOSSIBLE under any circumstances. A $5000 "SAVINGS" in a years time would equal $416/month EVERY MONTH MINIMUM LESS of a utility bill, Which would equal to an original electric bill of OVER $1000/month. There is not a single house in this country who has a $1000/month electric bill with ONLY 1 HVAC unit.

    As per your acknowledgment in the comment below that it doesn't work, the problem with your response is having a modulating furnace PLUS an inverter AC is FAR MORE than just $5000 extra, thereby the math still does not work as well. Even though the modulating furnace upgrade is not as much as the inverter upgrade, but it's still much more. Service area Nepean??

  17. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Paul d says:

    When you live in a mild climate and also have the cheapest electricity in the country… paying $80 a month on average to heat and cool a 1500 sq foot house.. my unit? 13 seer installed in 2009…. I don’t think top tear would have saved me anything.

  18. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Brett Wing says:

    If you look at the climate where I live in Colorado. Let's say I convince a customer to install a high seer a/c system. That a/c will only run 3 to 4 months a year at most. So even if they save 100 dollars a month which is a savings you rarely will see. It will take that customer 13 years to recoup the extra 5000 dollars they spent up front on install. That doesn't seem like a good investment to me. Pay 5000 up front and in 13 years if the system is still operating as designed, hasn't been butchered and you still live in the house then you will start making money on it.
    If we are talking high seer heat pumps then there is slightly more merit because they run year round. But I find the price difference between a new installed 80plus gas furnace and 13seer a/c vs a 20 seer or better heat pump with heat strip to be far more than 5000 dollars. Its probably closer to an added cost of about 10000 dollars. So still in my book I don't think its worth it, to each there own though.

  19. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Dr Richtofen says:

    I really think it’s because the techs who don’t recommend high seer equipment don’t know how to work on the equipment, stuck in the old ways and easy ways and don’t wanna adapt. I tell you what, the people that know how to work on them are 100% more valuable to the industry. And that’s why they are paid they way they do. People need to just learn.

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