SEER2 Ratings Explained: Texas Minimums and What the Numbers Mean

Published October 16, 2026 · Reviewed October 16, 2026

Part of our AC Installation & Replacement guides.

What is a SEER2 rating?

SEER2 (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio 2) is the federal measure of how much cooling a central air conditioner or heat pump delivers for each unit of electricity it uses over a typical cooling season. The number is cooling output in Btu divided by electricity input in watt-hours, so a higher SEER2 means less electricity for the same amount of cooling.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) introduced SEER2, along with EER2 and HSPF2, when its updated efficiency standards took effect in 2023. The "2" signals a newer test procedure that DOE says better reflects how systems actually perform once installed in a home, including the resistance of real ductwork. Because the test conditions are tougher, the same piece of equipment usually shows a lower SEER2 number than its old SEER number. That is a change in the yardstick, not a drop in performance.

A SEER2 rating is a comparison tool: it tells you how two systems stack up under the same test, not exactly what your electric bill will be.

The ratings you will see next to SEER2

• EER2 — efficiency at one hot, steady test condition rather than across a season.
• HSPF2 — the heating-season efficiency of a heat pump. Like SEER2, higher is better.
• Tonnage / Btu/h — the size of the system. One ton equals 12,000 Btu per hour of cooling. Size matters because the federal minimums change at 45,000 Btu/h.

What are the minimum SEER2 ratings in Texas?

Texas sits in DOE's Southeast region, where a new split-system central air conditioner must be rated at least 14.3 SEER2 if it is smaller than 45,000 Btu/h and at least 13.8 SEER2 if it is 45,000 Btu/h or larger. Split-system heat pumps must meet 14.3 SEER2 and 7.5 HSPF2.

DOE minimum efficiency for new split systems in the Southeast region, including Texas (standards effective 2023)

Equipment	Cooling capacity	Minimum cooling rating	Minimum heating rating
Split-system central air conditioner	Under 45,000 Btu/h (under 3.75 tons)	14.3 SEER2	Not applicable
Split-system central air conditioner	45,000 Btu/h and above	13.8 SEER2	Not applicable
Split-system heat pump	All residential sizes	14.3 SEER2	7.5 HSPF2

You may also read that new air conditioners must meet an EER2 minimum. That additional requirement applies to DOE's Southwest region (Arizona, California, Nevada and New Mexico), not to Texas. These figures come from DOE's published standards and the federal rule at 10 CFR 430.32; if you need the exact legal text for a specific product class, read the current rule or ask the equipment manufacturer.

When does the SEER2 number matter for a Houston home?

SEER2 matters most when you are choosing new equipment, because the rating is fixed at the factory and cannot be improved later. It matters more in Greater Houston than in most of the country simply because air conditioners here run so many hours: the NOAA 1991–2020 normals for Houston Intercontinental Airport show about 3,288 cooling degree days a year against 1,266 heating degree days, and roughly 111 days at or above 90°F.

More run-time means each step up in efficiency has more hours to pay back. That does not automatically make the highest-rated system the right one. Common situations where the number deserves a close look:

• Replacing a system that is near or past the end of its life. Anything you buy new must meet the minimums above, so the question is how far above the minimum to go.
• Comparing quotes. Two quotes for the "same size" system can carry different SEER2 ratings and very different equipment behind them.
• Utility incentives. Efficiency incentives, where offered, are usually tied to specific rated models. Ask your contractor which models qualify before you count on one.

What can go wrong when you shop by SEER2 alone?

A high SEER2 label does not guarantee high real-world efficiency, because the rating assumes the system is matched, sized and installed correctly. Problems that erode the number in practice:

• Mismatched components. SEER2 is rated for a specific outdoor unit paired with a specific indoor coil or air handler. A new outdoor unit on an old, unmatched indoor coil may not deliver the rated efficiency.
• Wrong size. An oversized system cools the air quickly, shuts off, and repeats. That short cycling wastes energy and leaves humidity behind, which Houston homeowners notice as a cool but clammy house.
• Leaky or undersized ductwork. Air lost in a hot attic is cooling you paid for and never felt.
• Incorrect refrigerant charge or airflow. Both are set during installation and both affect efficiency and comfort.
• Skipped maintenance. Dirty filters and coils reduce airflow and heat transfer, so the system works harder than its rating suggests.

The rating on the sticker is the ceiling; the installation decides how close your home gets to it.

How can you check a system's SEER2 rating yourself?

You can verify a SEER2 rating without any tools by matching model numbers to published ratings. Steps a homeowner can safely take:

1. Find the outdoor unit's data plate. It is a metal or foil label on the side of the condenser listing the model and serial numbers. Do not open panels or reach inside the unit.
2. Find the indoor unit's model number. It is usually on a label on the air handler or furnace cabinet in the attic, closet or garage.
3. Look up the matched pair. The AHRI Directory of Certified Product Performance and the manufacturer's product literature list certified ratings for specific outdoor and indoor combinations.
4. Ask for it in writing. Any replacement quote should list the outdoor model, indoor model and the certified SEER2 (and HSPF2 for a heat pump) of that combination.

Checking refrigerant charge, airflow, electrical components or duct static pressure requires a licensed technician with gauges and meters; that part is not a do-it-yourself job.

How should you decide how much efficiency to buy?

Choose the efficiency level by weighing the system's added cost against your own run-time, comfort goals and how long you expect to stay in the home. A practical way to approach it:

• Start with the minimum as your baseline. Any new split system in Texas will meet 14.3 SEER2 (or 13.8 SEER2 for larger air conditioners).
• Look at the compressor type, not just the number. Higher SEER2 systems often use two-stage or variable-speed compressors, which run longer at lower output and remove more moisture, a real benefit in humid Houston summers.
• Ask for the matched-system rating and a load calculation. A proper sizing calculation keeps the system from short cycling and protects the efficiency you are paying for.
• Plan for upkeep. Regular maintenance helps a system stay close to its rated efficiency over the years.

JHC Cooling & Heating installs and services Goodman equipment across Greater Houston, and any certified rating discussed in a quote can be checked against the manufacturer's published data using the steps above.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum SEER2 for a new AC in Texas?

Texas is in the DOE Southeast region, where a new split-system central air conditioner must be rated at least 14.3 SEER2 below 45,000 Btu/h and at least 13.8 SEER2 at 45,000 Btu/h and above. Split-system heat pumps must meet 14.3 SEER2 and 7.5 HSPF2.

Is SEER2 the same as SEER?

No. SEER2 uses a newer DOE test procedure introduced with the 2023 standards that better reflects installed conditions such as ductwork resistance. The same equipment usually shows a lower SEER2 number than its old SEER number, so compare SEER2 to SEER2 only.

Does the EER2 requirement apply in Texas?

No. The additional EER2 minimum for new central air conditioners applies to DOE's Southwest region, which covers Arizona, California, Nevada and New Mexico. In Texas, the Southeast SEER2 minimums apply.

Is a higher SEER2 rating always worth it in Houston?

Not always. Houston's long cooling season gives efficiency upgrades more hours to pay back, but the value depends on the price difference, how long you will stay in the home and whether the system is sized and installed correctly. A properly installed system near the minimum can outperform a poorly installed high-rated one.

How do I find my current AC's SEER2 rating?

Read the model numbers from the data plates on the outdoor unit and the indoor air handler or furnace, then look up that matched combination in the AHRI directory or the manufacturer's literature. Older systems were rated in SEER rather than SEER2, so the number you find may use the older scale.

Can I keep using my existing lower-efficiency AC?

Yes. The DOE minimums apply to new equipment, not to systems already installed in homes. You can keep repairing and running an existing system; the standards come into play when you replace it.

Sources

1. eCFR, 10 CFR 430.32 — Energy and water conservation standards — federal minimum efficiency standards for central air conditioners and heat pumps (as of October 16, 2026)
2. U.S. Department of Energy, 2023 Central Air Conditioner and Heat Pump Standards FAQ (October 5, 2022) — regional structure, SEER2/EER2/HSPF2 metrics and the new test procedure (as of October 16, 2026)
3. NOAA NCEI, U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, Houston Intercontinental Airport (USW00012960) — cooling and heating degree days and days at or above 90°F (as of October 16, 2026)