Other features to look for when buying an air conditioner include: Manufacturers typically continue to support existing equipment by making replacement parts available and honoring maintenance contracts after the new standard goes into effect. The "lifespan" of a central air conditioner is about 15 to 20 years. The standards do not require you to change your existing central air conditioning units, and replacement parts and services should still be available for your home's systems. Look for the ENERGY STAR® and EnergyGuide labels - qualified central units are about 15% more efficient than standard models. New residential central air conditioner standards went into effect on Janusee the efficiency standards for central air conditioners for details, and consider purchasing a system with a higher SEER than the minimum for greater savings. If your air conditioner is old, consider buying an energy-efficient model. Many newer systems have SEER ratings as high as 26. SEER indicates the relative amount of energy needed to provide a specific cooling output. Central air conditioners are rated according to their seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER). When buying an air conditioner, look for a model with a high efficiency. Improper unit location, lack of insulation, and improper duct installation can greatly diminish efficiency. Too small a unit will not be able to attain a comfortable temperature on the hottest days. Too large a unit will not adequately remove humidity. Proper sizing and installation are key elements in determining air conditioner efficiency. Even if your air conditioner is only 10 years old, you may save 20% to 40% of your cooling energy costs by replacing it with a newer, more efficient model. The most efficient air conditioners use 30% to 50% less energy to produce the same amount of cooling as air conditioners made in the mid 1970s. If you are considering adding central air conditioning to your home, the deciding factor may be the need for ductwork. In an average size home, air conditioning consumes more than 2,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year, causing power plants to emit about 3,500 pounds of carbon dioxide and 31 pounds of sulfur dioxide. To save energy and money, you should try to buy an energy-efficient air conditioner and reduce your central air conditioner's energy use. In addition, they are out of the way, quiet, and convenient to operate. This combination of air conditioner and central heater eliminates the need for a separate furnace.Ĭentral air conditioners are more efficient than room air conditioners. Packaged air conditioners often include electric heating coils or a natural gas furnace. The supply and return ducts come from indoors through the home's exterior wall or roof to connect with the packaged air conditioner. This type of air conditioner also is used in small commercial buildings. In a packaged central air conditioner, the heat exchangers, compressor, fan, and blower are all located in one cabinet, which usually is placed on a roof or on a concrete slab next to the house's foundation. If your home already has a furnace but no air conditioner, a split-system may be the most economical central air conditioner to install. In many split-system air conditioners, the indoor cabinet may contain the a furnace or the indoor heat exchanger of a heat pump. In a split-system central air conditioner, an outdoor cabinet contains the outdoor heat exchanger, fan, and compressor, and an indoor cabinet contains the indoor heat exchanger and blower. In other words, don't use the system's central fan to provide air circulation - use circulating fans in individual rooms.Ī central air conditioner is either a split-system unit or a packaged unit. If you have a central air system in your home, set the fan to the "auto" mode. But in both cases this will increase energy use, both for the dehumidifier itself and because the air conditioner will require more energy to cool the house. In those instances, homeowners may reduce the thermostat setting or use a dehumidifier. However, in extremely humid climates, when outdoor temperatures are moderate, or in cases where the air conditioner is oversized, the air may not reach a low enough humidity to achieve a comfortable level. To learn how central air conditioners compare to other cooling systems, check out our Energy Saver 101 Infographic: Home Cooling.Īir conditioners dehumidify the air to improve comfort. This cooled air becomes warmer as it circulates through the home then it flows back to the central air conditioner through return ducts and registers. Supply ducts and registers (i.e., openings in the walls, floors, or ceilings covered by grills) carry cooled air from the air conditioner to the home. Central air conditioners circulate cool air through a system of supply and return ducts.
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