Whether your A/C is a split system – with the condenser and compressor in an outdoor cabinet, and the air handler/evaporator located indoors – or a packaged system with all the equipment in one cabinet, a modern high-efficiency A/C could almost certainly save you money.
The U.S. Department of Energy has estimated that today’s advanced systems consume between 30 and 50 percent less electricity “to produce the same amount of cooling as air conditioners made in the mid 1970s.” Even systems installed only a decade ago can use up to 40 percent more power than those in use today.
The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, or SEER, shows the amount of energy an A/C uses to produce a specific cooling output during the cooling season. The higher the SEER rating, the greater the savings. Aside from seeking an A/C upgrade with a SEER number of 14 and above (required for the much sought-after Energy Star label), other factors that influence an A/C’s efficiency include:
Sizing. The sizing of replacement air conditioners is an exact science. If the unit is too large, it will frequently cycle on and off, creating uneven cooling in your home while also not providing adequate air filtration or humidity control. Units that are too small struggle to satisfy the thermostat’s demands, use more power than necessary, and have a difficult time blowing cool air to the far ends of your air circulation system.
Supply infrastructure. Because air conditioners circulate cool air around the home through a system of ducts, this equipment also affects the efficiency of the system. Treated air lost through crushed ducts, ruptured joints and poor connections to the registers can markedly increase your utility bills.
At Climate Control Company we’re expert in all facets of high efficiency air conditioning, from calculating the ideal size of a replacement unit to installing and maintaining it. Contact us today to schedule a consultation, and to learn what high efficiency air conditioning can do for your budget and your comfort.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about high efficiency air conditioning and other HVAC topics, please visit our website.
Climate Control Company services Aspen, Vail and the surrounding Western slope communities in Colorado.
