Considering a New Air Conditioner?

Jun 21, 2010 | Energy Efficiency, Air Quality

Snapshot | Savings | What to look for | Environmental benefits | Rebates | Take action!

Snapshot

Air conditioner technology has improved rapidly in the last 15 years. So if your central air conditioner was installed before 1992, a new system could cut your cooling costs in half. If you have high electricity bills in the summer, take a close look at upgrading your air conditioner.

Air conditioner performance measured by SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating). The current Federal standard requires air conditioners to have a SEER of 13 or more. Energy efficiency experts recommend getting at least a SEER of 14.5, and to consider a SEER of 16.

There are several good air conditioner products, and they are well manufactured, offering 10-year warranties. The installer is key to realizing energy savings and cooling comfort. The installer will need to size the unit to your home -- the most common mistake is to oversize the unit, causing constant on-off cycling. The installer will also need to ensure adequate air flow for operating efficiency. Some manufacturers require their technicians to complete an intensive manufacturer-sponsored training, and these products have fewer customer complaints. Call WattzOn -- we can connect you with well-trained green air conditioning contractors.

To get the most out of your investment in a new air conditioner, take a look at ways to reduce your cooling load. This includes checking your ducts for leaks, increasing insulation as needed and air sealing your home. Also look at awnings, shades, fans and other simple measures that can increase comfort in hot weather.

There are attractive federal tax credits for upgrading your air conditioning.

And finally, good maintenance is key for air conditioning performance. With a tune-up your system could performa 10 - 30% better. See the related articles below.

Savings

Air conditioner performance is measured by SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating). SEER is the ratio of cooling output divided by electricity input. (The output is measured in BTUs; electricity is measured in kWh.) The higher the SEER rating, the more energy efficient the air conditioner unit.

There are Federal standards for the minimum SEER that began in 1992. So if you can't read the label on its unit to find its SEER, here are some general guidelines:

--If your air conditioner was installed before 1992, it probably has a SEER of 7 or 8.

--SEER 10 was the Federal standard that began in 1992.

--SEER 13 is the Federal standard that began in 2006.

Energy efficiency experts recommend that all homes get SEER 14.5 or higher. The most efficient units widely on the market right now are SEER 16.

How does the SEER rating translate into savings? The following chart shows the dramatic fall in costs with each SEER improvement. If you currently have an older unit, say SEER 7, and you upgrade to SEER 16, you'll save nearly half of your cooling costs on your electricity bill.

Want to talk over your options? Have questions? Speak with a WattzOn Green Home Expert for free. Call 1-800-314-5997. What to look for in a new central air conditioning system

Good air conditioning performance is combination of product features and installation. Here's what to look for.

The key product features in a new air conditioning system are:

Consider a heat pump. If you are also thinking of replacing your furnace, consider a heat pump to serve both your heating and cooling needs. Heat pumps are extremely efficient and combining systems into one technology may save you money. SEER. The higher the SEER the better. You can expect to pay more for a more efficient unit, but your lifetime savings will exceed the extra cost. Sizing. A common contractor mistake is to oversize an the air conditioner, leading to frequent on-off cycling and energy waste. You'll want to talk this issue over with your contractor. Matching indoor and outdoor units. In 2006 the Federal standards changed, making it necessary to change out both inside and outside units on a split-system central air conditioner. Mixing new outside units with older indoor units leads to low efficiency and premature replacements of expensive components. Expect to pay a premium for new refrigerant. Starting in 2010, freeon (R-22), the main refrigerant in air conditioners has been banned due to enviornmental concerns. Now R-410a is used, and you may have to pay a price surcharge.

The key things your installer can help you with are:

Sizing. Expect your contractor to so some specific heating load/sizing calculations for you home. (These are often called Manual J calculations, after the technical manual that contains the method.) While rules of thumb have been used in the past, modern contractor practice is to use specific calculations for your home. Duct sizing and sealing. Low air flow can reduce air conditioner performance and duct leaks also reduce energy efficiency. A good cooling contractor will take a look at your ducts and make recommendations for optimal cooling performance. Humidity. Air conditioners take humidity out of the air. If you have humidity concerns, raise them with your contractor. Your current system may not be sized properly, leading to persistent humidity.

Environmental benefits

The enviornmental benefits of upgrading your air conditioning come from the reduction in electricity use. Air conditioners are one of the biggest electricity users in the home, and if you want to go green, this is one of the first places to consider.

Also, be good to the enviornment by responsibly disposing of old air conditioner units. They contain freon, a substance known to deplete our ozone layer. Call WattzOn or your local recycling office for disposal help.

Take action!

Replace air conditioner with an energy-efficient model

Want to talk over your options? Still have questions or concerns? Want to find a quality contractor?

Speak with a WattzOn Green Home Expert for free. 1-800-314-5997

We are your free, independent, qualified, green home energy experts. We don't sell windows, furnaces or insulation or anything else for that matter, and while we can recommend products, we don't get paid by manufacturers. What we do provide is informed, expert and unbiased guidance on your best and most-effective opportunities to save energy, save money and make your home more green. WattzOn can also connect you to our network of qualified and verified local green home energy auditors and green home contractors who do great work.

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