ductless ac

How to Choose an Energy-Efficient Air Conditioner

September 26, 2018

Having an air conditioner in your Opelika, Alabama, home is essential for keeping your family comfortable during the hot and humid summer months. However, air conditioners use large amounts of electricity and are one of the reasons for rising energy bills.

Air conditioners today are built with more technology and thought towards energy-efficiency. There are many factors to consider when choosing an energy-efficient air conditioner for your home. Let’s explore ways that you can choose the appropriate one for your home.

Ductless Mini-Splits for Single Room Cooling

Ductless mini-splits are a great option for an energy-efficient air conditioner. Instead of cooling the whole house with central air-conditioning, mini-splits will cool only the room or area that it is designated for. Ductless mini-splits have two main working parts, the compressor, which sits outside of the house, and the air handler which is mounted on the inside wall. Because there is no ductwork involved, the mini-split system tends to run cleaner. This system is a great option for a quiet, energy-efficient air conditioner.

Inverter Air Conditioners Require Less Cycling On and Off

With relatively new technology, inverter controlled AC units require a higher initial investment, but are energy-efficient air conditioning options. Standard air conditioners regulate the desired temperature of the home by having the compressor cycle on and off. Starting the compressor to begin a cooling cycle can use large amounts of energy. The inverter unit runs at variable speeds and only uses the amount of energy needed to maintain the set temperature. As they do not shut on and off, they use much less energy.

Having the Proper Size Air Conditioner for Your Living Space

In order for your home’s AC unit to be energy-efficient, it needs to be sized appropriately for your home. If it is too small or too large, the energy-efficiency drops dramatically and you could see a rise in your energy bills. Sensigreen’s HVAC technicians will come to your home and conduct a load calculation to determine what size air conditioner would be optimal for your home.

Some of the factors used in determining the load calculation include your home’s construction material, the number of windows, the size of the rooms, and the home’s insulation level. All of these figures and numbers are then put into a complex formula which the trained technician can use to pick the size unit that will be most energy-efficient for your unique home.

Using SEER Ratings

When researching the best option for an energy-efficient air conditioner, use the SEER ratings to help determine whether your unit is efficient in cooling your home. SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) calculates the amount of cooling your AC will deliver per dollar spent on electricity over the cooling season compared to other air conditioners. The ratings range from 13-17 and the higher the number rated, the more energy-efficient your system will be.

Research Energy Star Certified HVAC Systems

If you have an older air conditioning system that is no longer able to keep your house comfortable, you may wish to consider purchasing and installing an Energy Star Certified HVAC system. For an appliance, such as your HVAC system, to become Energy Star rated, it must meet strict criteria set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency of the United States Department of Energy. You can feel confident that when you have an Energy Star certified air conditioner, you will have one of the best energy-efficient systems available.

Look for a WiFi Air Conditioner with a Programmable Thermostat

Installing a WiFi enabled air-conditioner that has a smart thermostat combines the technology of your smartphone with the HVAC system to help you regulate your home’s temperature and humidity level. Utilizing this technology can greatly increase the energy efficiency of your air conditioning system. You can control the home’s temperature remotely, which is perfect for when you are on vacation or commuting home from work. Many smartphones also provide feedback on your energy usage and efficiency.

With today’s technology and with so many options for choosing an energy-efficient air-conditioner, there is no need to have exorbitant energy bills. To consult with Sensigreen Heating, Cooling & Insulation about your options for choosing an energy-efficient air conditioner, or if you would like to have your air conditioner serviced, please call us today at (334) 366-9237.

Image provided by Shutterstock

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