Spring is a good time to take steps that will keep your home more comfortable during the upcoming cooling season. Choosing a high efficiency air conditioning system keeps you cooler and more comfortable, and saves your energy dollars. It’s no secret that summer heat waves are as uncomfortable as the coldest days of winter, but with high efficiency air conditioning, you can enjoy indoor comfort without sacrificing your budget.
All central air conditioners must meet the minimum energy standard of 13 SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio), which is a measure of the energy that your system produces versus the energy that it consumes. High-efficiency air conditioning systems offer up to 30 percent better efficiency than the older minimum system efficiency of 10 SEER. Some systems exceed the 13 SEER rating because they have equipment that helps the system run better without increasing your energy bills.
When you’re considering high efficiency air conditioning for your Twin Cities area home, look for the following:
- Variable-speed motors. These sit in the indoor blower and run much more quietly than a single-speed motor, which can use up to 625 watts per hour to run. A variable-speed motor, on the other hand, uses just 100 watts. These motors run most slowly and remove more humidity. The slower speed helps evacuate all the conditioned air in the ducts, along with circulating air more thoroughly.
- A delay switch. In lieu of a variable-speed motor, these switches run the blower a few minutes longer after the compressor shuts off, circulating the remaining conditioned air in the ducts throughout your home.
- A filter sensor. The filter needs to stay clean to give you the best operation, even from high efficiency air-conditioning systems. Filters are easy to forget, and as dirt builds, your HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system works harder to push air through the clogs. This causes your electric bill to rise and also can cause premature aging of your system. A sensor measures air flow and lets you know when it’s time to change or clean the filter.
- Dual-speed condenser. The condenser rests outdoors, and a dual-speed motor only runs at full power during extreme heat, which conserves energy and preserves the life of your system.
Marsh Heating & Air Conditioning has served residential and commercial customers in the Twin Cities area since 1974, and we can help you choose the best air conditioning system for your summer comfort. Contact us to learn more.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about air conditioning and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning services Minnesota’s Twin Cities. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!