SEER2 (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio 2) rates the cooling efficiency of an air conditioner or heat pump: total seasonal cooling output in BTUs divided by the watt-hours of electricity used. It replaced the older SEER test in 2023 using higher, more realistic duct static pressure, so it reads lower for the same equipment. Higher SEER2 means cheaper cooling.
Why it matters to you
Fraser Valley summers bring a handful of hot weeks and smoky days with the windows shut, but the region is heating-dominated, so for a heat pump the HSPF2 heating rating usually matters more to your annual BC Hydro bill than SEER2. For a cooling-only air conditioner, SEER2 is the number to compare.
Practical guidance
Compare SEER2 against SEER2, not against an older SEER figure, and confirm the rating applies to the matched outdoor unit and indoor coil being installed. Do not pay a large premium for a top SEER2 tier on a system that will mostly be heating.
SEER2 tiers compared with a 14.3 SEER2 reference point (relative electricity for the same cooling output; arithmetic, not a bill estimate or a Canadian minimum)
| Tier | SEER2 | Electricity vs. 14.3 SEER2 | Typical equipment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reference | 14.3 | Baseline | Single-stage |
| Step-up | 16 | About 11% less | Single- or two-stage |
| High efficiency | 17 | About 16% less | Two-stage or variable-speed |
| Premium | 18 | About 21% less | Variable-speed inverter |
| Top tier | 20 | About 29% less | Variable-speed inverter |
How much less electricity does a higher-SEER2 system use?
For the same cooling, electricity use scales inversely with the rating. Moving from 14.3 to 17 SEER2 uses about 16% less electricity (1 − 14.3/17), and moving to 20 SEER2 uses about 29% less. Because Lower Mainland cooling seasons are short, the absolute difference on a bill is smaller than in hot climates.
Should I prioritize SEER2 or HSPF2 for a heat pump in the Fraser Valley?
In a heating-dominated climate, a heat pump runs far more hours heating than cooling, so HSPF2 usually has the bigger effect on running cost. SEER2 still matters for summer comfort and for any efficiency thresholds a rebate program sets. Variable-speed equipment tends to score well on both.
What is the minimum SEER2 for new equipment in Canada?
Natural Resources Canada sets minimum efficiency standards for air conditioners and heat pumps sold in Canada, and they are updated over time. Rather than relying on a remembered number, check the current federal minimum and any rebate program threshold for the exact model being quoted.