TryBuildCalc

SEER Savings Verification Checklist

Essential Checklist+

Complete these critical checks before approving the work or proceeding to the next construction stage.

✓7 Inspection Points
✓3 Verification Categories
✓Inputs & Rating Confirmation+
  • Cooling capacity (tons) entered actually matches BOTH the old and new unit — not assumed identical without checking
  • Old unit's SEER/SEER2 rating taken from its actual nameplate or AHRI certificate, not guessed from its age
  • New unit's SEER2 rating taken from its actual spec sheet or AHRI certificate, not a marketing headline number
  • Rating type (SEER vs. SEER2) selected correctly for each unit, not left at the default for convenience
✓SEER/SEER2 Normalization Check+
  • Both units' normalized SEER2-equivalent figures (shown in the result) reviewed, not just the raw entered ratings
  • Confirmed both units are ducted (central split-system) equipment, not a ductless mini-split
✓After Purchase Verification+
  • New unit's actual installed efficiency confirmed by correct refrigerant charge, correct airflow, and a matched indoor/outdoor coil combination — not just the rated SEER2 number on the box
Full QC Checklist+

Verify inputs/rating confirmation, SEER/SEER2 normalization, financial assumptions, and after-purchase verification for a SEER savings estimate.

✓22 Inspection Points
✓4 Verification Categories
✓Inputs & Rating Confirmation+
  • Cooling capacity (tons) entered actually matches BOTH the old and new unit — not assumed identical without checking
  • Old unit's SEER/SEER2 rating taken from its actual nameplate or AHRI certificate, not guessed from its age
  • New unit's SEER2 rating taken from its actual spec sheet or AHRI certificate, not a marketing headline number
  • Rating type (SEER vs. SEER2) selected correctly for each unit, not left at the default for convenience
  • Climate zone selected matches the installation's actual location, and the prefilled annual cooling hours adjusted if a more accurate figure is known
  • Electricity rate entered reflects the actual current utility rate (including any time-of-use or seasonal peak pricing that applies during cooling season), not an outdated bill
✓SEER/SEER2 Normalization Check+
  • Both units' normalized SEER2-equivalent figures (shown in the result) reviewed, not just the raw entered ratings
  • Understood that the SEER-to-SEER2 conversion (÷1.047) is a published approximation, not an exact per-unit figure
  • Confirmed both units are ducted (central split-system) equipment, not a ductless mini-split
  • Confirmed this comparison covers electric cooling (SEER) only — not gas heating cost, and not a heat pump's electric heating-season (HSPF) savings
  • If replacing one recent unit with another, confirmed the rating-type selector correctly reads SEER2 for BOTH sides rather than accidentally left on SEER, which would apply an unnecessary and incorrect conversion
  • For a multi-stage or variable-speed system, confirmed which specific SEER2 figure (rated/nameplate vs. a marketed peak-efficiency figure at minimum stage) is being entered
✓Financial Assumptions+
  • If a payback period was calculated, the installed cost entered is the NET cost after any rebates, tax credits, or trade-in credits — not the pre-incentive quoted price
  • Understood the cumulative savings table assumes a flat electricity rate and doesn't account for future rate inflation, financing costs, or maintenance-cost differences between the old and new equipment
  • Recognized this is not a substitute for a full investment analysis (net present value, financing terms, or a professional energy audit) for a large purchase decision
  • Confirmed this calculator's dollar figures are USD-only, matching SEER2 itself being a US DOE-specific rating standard — not usable as-is for a non-US electricity market
  • If comparing multiple candidate replacement units, each one run through this calculator separately (or via Compare mode) rather than assuming savings scale linearly with SEER2 rating
✓After Purchase Verification+
  • New unit's actual installed efficiency confirmed by correct refrigerant charge, correct airflow, and a matched indoor/outdoor coil combination — not just the rated SEER2 number on the box
  • Actual utility bills tracked for at least one full cooling season after installation and compared against this calculator's estimate
  • New equipment's manufacturer warranty registered within the required window, and installation documentation kept for any rebate or tax credit claims
  • Old unit's refrigerant properly recovered and the equipment disposed of/recycled per local regulations, not simply discarded
  • If a rebate or tax credit was assumed when calculating the net installed cost used for payback period, the application was actually submitted within that program's required deadline
Inspection Notes+
Use the latest approved drawings, specifications, and site measurements.
Complete all critical checks before proceeding to the next work stage.
Record deviations and confirm rectification where required.

Related Calculators & Guides

SEER Savings CalculatorOpen the related calculator and verify the current project inputs.

FAQ

Use it after collecting the project inputs and again before approving or closing the relevant work stage.
No. It supports verification but does not replace approved drawings, specifications, codes, manufacturer requirements, or professional inspection.