ome experts say that the average homeowner in North America spends about $1,000 every year on heating and cooling their homes. That’s close to half of the estimated annual home energy bill! For that reason alone, it’s wise to invest in energy-efficient air conditioners that will save you money while keeping you cool in summer or warm in winter.
But that’s not all. While air conditioning units are designed to make the interior of our homes more comfortable, they also dehumidify the air and remove unwanted particles and dust. In short, this makes the air we breathe healthier.
If you’re shopping for a new air conditioner, it’s best to look for one that is not only energy-efficient but also meets other important environmental guidelines.
A great place to start is by looking for units that meet ENERGY STAR requirements.
About ENERGY STAR
ENERGY STAR is a program established as a joint venture between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. The program’s goal is to reduce costs while protecting the environment by promoting energy-efficient products. It also aims to educate people on the benefits of adopting energy-efficient practices.
According to ENERGY STAR, their efforts helped Americans save nearly $18 billion on utility bills in 2010. They also announced that in 2010, Americans managed to avoid producing greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to what 33 million cars would have emitted. When you consider the efforts of Canadians and others worldwide, you begin to see the significant impact that collective actions can have.
By purchasing household products, including air conditioners, that are ENERGY STAR endorsed, you can save money. To earn the ENERGY STAR label, products must meet strict energy efficiency guidelines.
ENERGY STAR Products
While you can find ENERGY STAR labels on products, it’s helpful to start with specific recommendations. Here are some pointers:
- Trane offers both cool and warm air that is clean. This American company (www.trane.com) provides a broad range of HVAC systems that will heat, ventilate, dehumidify, and condition the air in your home or business. They also sell products under the American Standard brand.
- General Electric (GE) (GE Appliances – ENERGY STAR) offers a variety of ENERGY STAR air conditioners designed for installation in walls or windows. These units feature high-efficiency compressors, heat transfer surfaces, and fan motors to help reduce energy consumption and lower utility costs.
- Lennox (Lennox Air Conditioners) manufactures ENERGY STAR air conditioners, including models that are solar-ready. Efficiency ratings vary by model.
- Sharp (Sharp USA) also produces air conditioners that meet ENERGY STAR requirements.
And there are many more!
Other Products with Energy Efficiency Ratings
LG products (www.lg.com) carry the Energy Efficiency Rating (EER), which shows you how energy-efficient specific air conditioners are. The higher the rating, the lower the unit’s operating costs. EER indicates how many British Thermal Units (BTUs)—a unit of energy needed to raise temperature—are required each hour to draw one watt of electric power. It’s a technical rating that measures the unit’s cooling performance at peak efficiency.
The higher the EER, the more efficient the air conditioner.
Heating and Cooling Efficiently
While it’s important to look for ENERGY STAR endorsed air conditioners, there are other steps you can take to ensure your system operates efficiently. Regular maintenance is key, just like you would service your vehicle. Be sure to service your air conditioner regularly.
One essential task is checking the filter monthly, especially during peak seasons like summer and winter. If the filter looks dirty, replace it immediately. Most filters need to be changed two to four times a year (every three months or so), although some brands—like LG—claim their filters don’t need to be replaced if kept clean. If the filter is dirty, it can slow down airflow, causing the system to work harder and use more power. A clean filter helps prevent dirt, dust, and other pollutants from entering the system, which keeps it running efficiently and can prevent early system failure.
ENERGY STAR also recommends installing a programmable thermostat, especially for those who are away from home for extended periods. According to the agency, using a programmable thermostat can save up to $180 annually in energy costs.
Another way to improve efficiency is by sealing heating and cooling ducts. These ducts, which transport air to and from heat pumps, air furnaces, and central air conditioners, often waste energy. Sealing ducts properly can save as much as 20% on energy costs. Start by sealing ducts in attics, unheated basements, and garages. After sealing, add good insulation to ensure the system doesn’t lose heat in winter or gain heat in summer.
Finally, remember that bigger is not always better. If you buy an air conditioner that’s too large for the area you need to cool or heat, it will likely waste energy and may be less effective at maintaining the desired temperature.
One Response
True sense of energy efficiency in air conditioning and heating products cannot be recognized without integrating artificial intelligence or machine learning into their central units. Designers of building automation and building management systems are devising new strategies to collect and process data so that air conditioning goods can deliver maximum productivity without consuming too much energy. Their strategies entirely focus on collecting data across millions of different points and processing it. A vast implementation of this machine learning process has already happened in HVAC systems. However, air conditioners are mostly preprogrammed to handle a specific situation. This is where they are not energy efficient in their true sense. I need to seek your opinion?