Are the newer AC units more efficient than the older R22 ones?

[JTsyo]

I got my older (19+ years) Goodman R22 based unit replaced with a Lennox unit rated at SEER 16. I was expecting to see a drop in electricity usage but my costs for the last two months have been higher. Things are a bit tricky to unravel since I also have solar. The outside temp and cloud coverage also play into it. In previous years my solar output was enough to carry through the summer but now I'm using power off the grid. It's a let down because I was hoping the energy savings would help offset some of the costs for the new system.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Did they put in the same tonnage unit or a bigger one? Could just be this one is bigger. Also are you finding yourself using it more perhaps? When something is new you kind of tend to want to use it, so maybe without realizing it you're setting it lower.

I find if I can tough it, I try to wait until late evening to start mine. Since the temp outside starts to cool off and the unit is no longer in direct sunlight, it will run more efficiently and cool the house faster. On the +30 days though sometimes I give in and just have it run all day.

 

[Lost_in_the_HTTP]

I only use one 6K window unit cooing one room. For some reason, it seems like it's been working harder this year to make the room 'feel good'. Possibly because the Humidity and Dewpoints seem to be higher.

Or maybe it's just in my head.

 

[JTsyo]

Did they put in the same tonnage unit or a bigger one? Could just be this one is bigger. Also are you finding yourself using it more perhaps? When something is new you kind of tend to want to use it, so maybe without realizing it you're setting it lower.

I find if I can tough it, I try to wait until late evening to start mine. Since the temp outside starts to cool off and the unit is no longer in direct sunlight, it will run more efficiently and cool the house faster. On the +30 days though sometimes I give in and just have it run all day.

They were both 5 ton units. I do run the AC cooler at night now. It used to be 78 all the time other than a few days were it felt bad at night. Now it's 78 during the day and 76 at night.