If replacing your air conditioning system is on your agenda this spring, selecting a system that has high-efficiency features will lower your energy bills and increase your indoor comfort. The minimum energy-efficiency standard for central air conditioners stands at 13 SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) and generally speaking, the higher the SEER number, the lower your electric bills.
High-efficiency features for air conditioning systems that will increase summertime comfort in the Twin Cities area include:
- Dual-speed compressors. The compressor puts the refrigerant under pressure, and one that has two speeds will adjust its operating speed based on cooling demands inside the home. It only runs at high speed when it’s very warm, which saves you money.
- Variable-speed blower motor. These motors vary their speed based on the cooling needs of your home. Also called electronically commutated motors, they use much less electricity than a single-speed motor and run more quietly. They usually run at a low but continuous level, providing more even cooling, along with better air filtration and humidity control.
Features that increase indoor comfort but don’t necessarily increase the SEER include:
- A filter light. Blowers that have an indicator light to tell you when the filter needs cleaning or changing can lower your energy bills and improve indoor air quality. Blowers require a certain amount of airflow to operate effectively. The filter light comes on when the air filter gets dirty and the airflow slows. Additionally, keeping the filter clean helps your A/C last longer.
- Fan-only switch. Being able to run the blower to circulate the air without the air conditioner running helps you circulate the air throughout the house, for less money. When combined with a variable-speed motor in the blower, this will increase your comfort during moderate temperatures while using minimal electricity.
- Fan-delay switch. This switch runs the blower a few minutes longer after the outdoor condenser turns off, pushing all of the cooled air out of the ductwork.
To learn more about air conditioning options, please contact us at Marsh Heating & Air Conditioning. We’ve provided superior HVAC services for the Twin Cities area since 1974.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about air conditioning replacement and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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