If you’ve been wondering if one of the newer high-efficiency air conditioners is worth it for your home, consider the following. A highly efficient A/C has a SEER rating of at least 14.5 in order to qualify for the coveted Energy Star label. Your savings begin the moment you make the purchase. Here are four more ways an efficient A/C pays off:
Improved Energy Costs
Since high-efficiency air conditioners use a lot less energy than older models, you’ll notice a big improvement in your monthly energy bills. To estimate how much you could save, know that there is a direct correlation between the SEER rating and the energy efficiency of the A/C unit. Basically, the higher the SEER number, the lower your fuel bill.
Improved Output
A high-efficiency air conditioner likely will offer energy-efficiency features to handle varying conditions in your home. For instance, a variable speed air handler will adjust its speed to conditions in your home, and usually run at a lower, more continuous speed. This uses less energy than single-speed systems that only run at full blast, and also does a better job of providing balanced cooling and humidity control.
Long Lasting
Lower-efficiency air conditioners have to work much harder to deliver the same cooling as a high-efficiency model. High-efficiency units have built-in cycling controls that maximize output while minimizing energy use. This translates into a longer operating life, as long as regular maintenance is scheduled.
Freon Free
Freon has been frozen out of the world of refrigerants. The U.S. EPA has implemented a 22-year plan to phase out Freon entirely. You will get a head start on this plan when you invest in a new high-efficiency air conditioner that uses the more environmentally friendly refrigerant, R410a.
For more information on the benefits of a highly efficient A/C system for your home, please contact us at Marsh Heating & Air Conditioning Co. We’ve been serving the Twin Cities Metro area since 1974.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Waco, Texas and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about efficient A/Cs and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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