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How to Choose an Energy-Efficient Air Conditioner for Your Home

Dad and daughter laugh together over ice cream sundaes, enjoying Summer vacation comfortably at home - the way it should be. Find out how All American Heating can help you make sure your home cooling system is the most energy-efficient it can be.

Spend Summer the way it
was meant to be:
Easy.

Here’s How to Check.

Summertime is downtime. Family time. Fun in the sun time. Relaxing together at home time. Time to chill out and stay cool. And to spend the least amount of energy to do all of those things – both figuratively, and financially.

You don’t want to spend money unnecessarily, nor get sticker shock every time you log on to pay your energy bill. And you sure don’t want to worry about it all summer long. Don’t let your ac system’s efficiency – or rather, the lack thereof – make this your reality.

Having an energy-efficient system offers numerous benefits: it can save you money, help the environment, last longer than older systems, and it works to make your home more comfortable.

But how do you know if your system – or one you may be considering – is the most energy-efficient option for your home?

First: Right-Sizing is Important

Generally, the higher the number, the more efficient the unit. If your system is older, the rating might be as low as an 8 or a 9, and it might be time to upgrade.

Chart indicating the air conditioning system in tonnage required by square foot to effectively cool your home efficiently.

This is one time when size really does matter. Because, if you have or plan to purchase a unit that’s too large for your home, you will absolutely have cool air – but it may leave you feeling damp, cold, and clammy.

But if your system is too small, it will have to work harder than normal to maintain the desired temperature – and that will drive up your energy bills.

There are two ratings that indicate the energy efficiency of any furnace, air conditioner, or other home climate system. The SEER Rating (Seasonal Energy-Efficiency Rating) equals the ratio of your AC unit’s cooling output over a typical warm season to the amount of energy it uses in Watt-Hours. This rating can be found either on the unit or in the user’s manual. Modern air conditioners have a rating between 13 and 22. The minimum rating in the United States is 14.  

SEER Rating chart shows the money in US dollars that can be saved by installing an air conditioning unit with a higher SEER rating.

The chart above shows how, as the SEER rating increases, energy costs decrease.

Generally, the higher the number, the more efficient the unit. If your system is older, the rating might be as low as an 8 or a 9, and it might be time to upgrade.

The EER, or Energy Efficiency Ratio, is measured with an outdoor temperature of 95F, an indoor temperature of 80F, and at 50% humidity. The ratio is the measure of the unit’s capacity in BTUs (British Thermal Units) or the amount of heating and cooling it can provide, to power, which is measured in Watts. As with the SEER, the higher the number, the more efficient the unit. Minimum EER ratings vary by weight and range from 11.7 to 12.2 in the Southwest U.S. There are no minimum ratings for the rest of the country.

Third: Check for ENERGY STAR Certification
Energy Star logo

ENERGY STAR is a program created by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help consumers choose units that help protect the environment and save money by operating efficiently. ENERGY STAR criteria require that your unit have at least a 14.5 SEER rating. This can save you as much as 20% on your energy bills – and installing a new one can even get you a tax break.

Next: Watch for Signs of Inefficiency.

Here are the signs of inefficiency to watch for:

  • The age of your AC unit – the older your system is, the less efficient it’s likely to be.
  • High energy bills – if you’re paying an excessive amount monthly, something else is probably up.
  • Frequent repairs – as with anything else, this is usually a sign that you might need a new system.
If your energy bills are higher than expected, it's a sign that your systems might not be functioning as efficiently as you'd want, or expect them to.
  • Increased humidity – If your home feels damper than it has in the past, this means your AC unit is not very efficient.
  • Hot and cold spots in the house – one of the causes of uneven temperatures is an inefficient system.
And, finally…
Technician records notes in ServiceTitan while performing and air conditioning maintenance

Keep up with your home HVAC maintenance to keep everything running smoothly, and change your air filters once a month.

Call All American Heating today to book an Energy Check-Up for your home, which includes a review of your home AC system. We also offer an 18-Point Inspection of your cooling system.

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