Central air conditioners are more efficient than room air conditioners. In addition, they are out of the way, quiet, and convenient to operate. To save energy and money, you should try to buy an energy-efficient air conditioner and reduce your central air conditioner's energy use. In an average size home, air conditioning consumes more than 2,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year, causing power plants to emit about 3,500 pounds of carbon dioxide and 31 pounds of sulfur dioxide.
If you are considering adding central air conditioning to your home, the deciding factor may be the need for ductwork.
The most efficient air conditioners use 30% to 50% less energy to produce the same amount of cooling as air conditioners made in the mid 1970s. Even if your air conditioner is only 10 years old, you may save 20% to 40% of your cooling energy costs by replacing it with a newer, more efficient model.
Proper sizing and installation are key elements in determining air conditioner efficiency. Too large a unit will not adequately remove humidity. Too small a unit will not be able to attain a comfortable temperature on the hottest days. Improper unit location, lack of insulation, and improper duct installation can greatly diminish efficiency.
When buying an air conditioner, look for a model with a high efficiency. Central air conditioners are rated according to their seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER). SEER indicates the relative amount of energy needed to provide a specific cooling output. Many newer systems have SEER ratings as high as 26.
If your air conditioner is old, consider buying an energy-efficient model. Look for the ENERGY STAR® and EnergyGuide labels -- qualified central units are about 15% more efficient than standard models. New residential central air conditioner standards went into effect on January 1, 2015; see the efficiency standards for central air conditioners for details, and consider purchasing a system with a higher SEER than the minimum for greater savings.
The standards do not require you to change your existing central air conditioning units, and replacement parts and services should still be available for your home's systems. The "lifespan" of a central air conditioner is about 15 to 20 years. Manufacturers typically continue to support existing equipment by making replacement parts available and honoring maintenance contracts after the new standard goes into effect.
Other features to look for when buying an air conditioner include:
You probably love the ability to keep your home cool and comfortable in the summer with central air conditioning. However, you probably don’t love the spike in energy usage, the ozone-depleting refrigerant, and the disruptive noise of the outdoor condensing unit.
Luckily, advances in air conditioning technology make it possible to enjoy a cool, comfortable home without these drawbacks. Simply upgrade to a new, energy-efficient air conditioner and you’ll reap the rewards.
The first thing any upgrade will do is lower your energy usage. A 20-year-old air conditioning system might use 6 kWh of electricity to cool an average-sized house. A modern AC system could cool that same house using as little as 1.71 kWh of electricity. This incredible performance is made possible by advanced features like the two-stage scroll compressor, which has replaced the old single-stage piston-driven compressors of the past.
Further reading:The second benefit of upgrading your air conditioning system is the opportunity to decrease your environmental impact. A refrigerant called R410A is the modern replacement for the once-standard R22, which contributes to ozone depletion. If your existing air conditioner runs on R22, and it develops a refrigerant leak, it’s the perfect time to upgrade to a unit compatible with R410A. R22 is currently being phased out and will be illegal in the US in 2020.
The third way a new air conditioning system benefits you is through its quieter operation. Thanks to improvements in compressor technology and a fan-blade shape, the quietest modern models generate only 68 decibels of sound, which is about 1/20th of the noise generated by many older units. This means you can relax in the yard without being disturbed by the noise of an old AC compressor.
SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. This number indicates how much electricity is required to remove a given amount of heat from an indoor space. The higher the number, the more efficient the air conditioning system.
As of 2015, the minimum rating for new air conditioning systems is 13 SEER in northern states and 14 SEER in the south. The most efficient systems have SEER ratings as high as 25. However, it’s still legal to operate existing units with lower efficiency ratings.
Many older AC units with SEER ratings of 10 and under are still in operation today. Consider though, that after the wear and tear of a decade or two, these systems no longer run at their peak. As a result, a 10 SEER unit is likely to operate closer to an 8 SEER efficiency.
To the right is a chart that outlines the estimated electricity you can save by upgrading to a new air conditioning system with a higher SEER rating.
Whether your new air conditioning system meets the minimum requirements at 13 SEER, or it’s a superior model boasting a rating of 25 SEER, it’s vital to size your new AC system properly to maximize efficiency. Oversizing the system results in shorter cycles that prevent proper dehumidification. This makes the house feel cool but clammy. Conversely, under-sizing can overwork the system, which may cause premature wear and tear, overheating and create comfort problems on the hottest summer days.
Heating and cooling are measured in British thermal units (BTUs) per hour. Air conditioning systems are sized by the ton of refrigeration. One ton of air conditioning equals 12,000 BTU/hour. A general rule of thumb is that a one-ton air conditioning system is needed to cool a 1,000-square-foot, well-insulated home.
However, proper air conditioner sizing requires you to consider more than just square footage. Other factors such as ceiling height, the home’s layout, air leakage, sun exposure, interior heat gain, and climate also play a big part in determining the ideal AC size. Work with an expert at Petro Home Services to ensure that you install a properly sized unit for your home.
If your goal is to save energy, reduce your impact on the environment, and enjoy a quieter living space, consider upgrading to a more efficient air conditioning system. Contact the experts at Petro Home Services today to answer any questions you have about your home cooling needs.
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