When considering the purchase of a new comfort system for your home, you should know that today’s best air conditioners use 30% to 50% less energy to produce the same amount of cooling as air conditioners from the mid 1980s. Even if your air conditioner is only 10 years old, you may be able to save up to 40% of your cooling energy costs by replacing it with a newer, more efficient model.
An air conditioner’s efficiency, performance, durability, and initial cost depend on matching its size to the following factors:
- The size of your home and the number of windows it has;
- The amount of shade on your home’s windows, walls, and roof;
- How much insulation is in the ceilings and walls of your home;
- The amount of air that leaks into your home from outside;
- The amount of heat the appliances and occupants in your home generate.
Know that “bigger is not better” when it comes to air conditioning. A larger-than-necessary air conditioner will cost more money to purchase, and more money to operate. It will use more electricity, wearing out the compressor and electrical parts more rapidly. This creates added demands on electrical generation and delivery systems.
Also, an oversized air conditioner will cycle on and off more frequently than a properly sized system, reducing its efficiency. This frequent cycling reduces moisture removal, which is critical for comfort. An oversized A/C system leaves too much moisture in the air because it won’t run cycles long enough to dehumidify your home.
At Energy Savings, we handle ALL brands of air conditioners and heaters. Call us today to schedule an appointment with one of our knowledgeable home comfort advisors.
