Selecting an Air Conditioner. Room Air Conditioners: Room air conditioners cool single rooms rather than entire houses, so while they may be less...
Selecting an Air Conditioner. Room Air Conditioners: Room air conditioners cool single rooms rather than entire houses, so while they may be less...
View HVAC Guide RSS feedA cool, air-conditioned home is a retreat on a hot summer day, but an expensive one. This article outlines considerations that will help you select an energy efficient air conditioning system.
While few things feel better than the sensation of stepping into a nice, cool home from a scorching summer day, air conditioning can be an expensive luxury. Just as there are considerations that can improve your car's efficiency, there are ways of improving your air conditioning system's energy efficiency as well.
Room Air Conditioners: Room air conditioners cool single rooms rather than entire houses, so while they may be less efficient in terms of energy loss, they are cheaper to operate than extensive central air systems. Those living in smaller homes and apartments can be quite comfortable with simple room air conditioners, but those living in larger homes will typically need something more substantial.
Central Air Conditioners: Central air systems circulate cool air through a system of ducts. They are available in two different kinds of system: Split-system and packaged systems. Slit-system units are those central air systems in which an outdoor metal cabinet contains the condenser and compressor, while an indoor cabinet contains the evaporator. The indoor cabinet typically contains a furnace or the indoor part of a heat pump, so this system is the most economical to install in homes that already have furnaces but do not have air conditioners. In a packaged central air conditioner evaporator, condenser and compressor are located in one cabinet. Some include electric heating coils or natural gas furnaces which eliminate the need for separate furnaces.
As you might suspect, larger air conditioners use more energy than smaller ones, so selecting a system that is sized appropriately for your home will keep your energy costs in check. Before deciding how large your air conditioner should be, assess the following considerations:
Truly evaluating your energy needs will help you make an informed decision at purchase time.
Each air conditioner has an EER, which, as you might have guessed, will give you some idea of how efficient your air conditioner is in comparison with similar systems. Choosing a system with a high EER rating, particularly one with an Energy Star label, will mean a lower energy bill down the line.
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