How much will a new AC save per year?

Savings scale with your current unit's inefficiency, your climate's cooling hours, and your electricity rate. Replacing a 10 SEER system with a 17.5 SEER2 unit cuts cooling energy roughly 40-45%; in long cooling seasons that's commonly $400-$900 a year, while short northern seasons may save under $150. This calculator computes it from your ZIP's climate hours and your utility's actual summer rate.

How does old AC vs new AC energy cost compare?

New cost = old cost x (old rating / new rating), with an age correction: old units lose roughly 1-2% efficiency per year to coil fouling and wear, so a 15-year-old 12 SEER often performs like a 9-10. The honest comparison is usually more favorable to the new unit than nameplate ratings alone suggest.

Is a 16 SEER2 worth it over 14.3 SEER2?

The step adds roughly $600-$1,000 installed on a 3-ton system and cuts cooling energy about 11%. In hot climates at average-or-higher electricity rates it typically pays back well within the equipment's life; in mild climates it may not. Run both tiers in the calculator - it prices each tier's typical installed cost automatically.

Does this SEER2 savings calculator require an email?

No. It runs entirely in your browser - no email, no sign-up, and your inputs stay on your device. Every assumption is on screen and editable, and the full methodology is published.

AC Replacement Savings Calculator — SEER2 Savings, Payback & ROI (Heat Pumps Too)

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How hands-on do you want to be?

Pick one to get started — you can switch anytime.

1 · Home & usage

ZIP code

How should we estimate usage?

Average monthly bill (12-month average)

Peak summer monthly bill

Best accuracy: uses your real bills. Your summer peak minus your average month is treated as cooling energy — corrected for the cooling already inside your average bill.

Keep it vs. replace it example

Break-even in ~7 years — then about $540 back every year. Here’s the shape of the decision:

This is a typical mid-size home. Answer the questions above and your real curve appears here — your climate, your utility’s rates, your quote.

2 · Current system

Efficiency rating

Current SEER

System age (years)

Expected repairs this year

Prefilled from the unit's age — edit if you have actual quotes or history.

Equivalent full cooling months / yr

Apply age degradation to the current system (≈0.7%/yr, floor 60%)

3 · Replacement System

Utility rate escalation (% / yr)

Keep it vs. replace it example

Break-even in ~7 years — then about $540 back every year. Here’s the shape of the decision:

This is a typical mid-size home. Answer the questions above and your real curve appears here — your climate, your utility’s rates, your quote.

Keep it vs. replace it

Cumulative cost of ownership over the next 15 years.

Savings GuideCooling

Estimated yearly savings with the new system

about $0 per month off the energy bill

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Payback (yrs)

10-yr savings

HVAC energy cut

Estimate based on your utility bills. Actual savings vary with weather, usage, and installation quality.

Annual cooling cost — today vs. new system

Yearly cost at current rates, with lifetime savings and payback.