Energy-Efficient Air Conditioners: Does It Make Sense to Buy One?

Energy-efficient homes are the trend in the 21st-century. Every homeowner wants to save as much energy as they can, not only to lower their utility costs but also to help the environment. Since HVAC systems are some of the main energy consumers in your home, you should seriously look into investing in high-efficiency air conditioners.

Four Seasons Air Specialists is your trustworthy HVAC company in Centerville MN. For over 40 years, we have been helping our customers establish comfortable, safe living spaces while using as little energy as possible.

In partnership with Lennox, we offer a wide array of energy-efficient air conditioners that are considered some of the best in the industry.

Overview

To appreciate what high-efficiency air conditioners bring to the table, it’s important to understand the differences between them and standard cooling systems. An air conditioner is considered high-efficiency if it has a seasonal energy efficiency rating (SEER) of over 13. However, its actual efficiency depends on several other factors, including the quality of installation, proper sizing, insulation, and your personal cooling preferences.

Benefits

Significant Energy Savings

Standard air conditioners can only run at full power — all the time, consuming a considerable amount of energy every month. On the other hand, high-efficiency AC units can run at different speeds, depending on your demands. According to ENERGY STAR, a high-efficiency unit can easily save you as much as $115 to $200 per year, compared to an older, lower-efficiency unit. We recommend you to upgrade to an ENERGY-STAR-approved cooling system, especially ones that bear the “Most Efficient” label. Products that are recognized as the Most Efficient of ENERGY STAR in 2021 prevent greenhouse gas emissions by meeting rigorous energy efficiency performance levels set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Fewer Repairs

The energy-saving features found in high-efficiency air conditioners do more than just minimize energy usage. They also allow the unit to work with less tension, resulting in fewer breakdowns. You probably have an idea of how much it costs to have a technician come to your home to perform a repair job. With a high-efficiency unit, you’ll require fewer service calls because your system works with less strain. Of course, this statement depends on how well you take care of the unit. If you allow the AC to receive professional maintenance at least once per year, then the chances of suffering breakdowns are lower because the technician can detect potential issues before they escalate and become serious problems.

Greater Comfort

New, high-efficiency air conditioners are equipped with the latest technologies that help maintain a consistent temperature in every part of your home. This consistency leads to improved comfort as your home benefits from superior humidity control. Such systems have variable-speed motors that provide the right amount of airflow throughout your home, increasing the static pressure in your ducts that leads to more cooled air in every register. All of those elements are essential to creating a more comfortable living environment. This benefit means more if you have children, the elderly, or family members with preexisting respiratory conditions, who will enjoy staying comfortable all day long.

Environmental Benefits

If you have an older air conditioner, it probably is equipped with R22, a type of refrigerant that has been proven to harm the ozone layer. Because of its adverse effects on the environment, the government decided to stop the manufacturing and selling of this refrigerant. Moreover, the Environmental Protection Agency has stopped the use of R22 in 2020. Therefore, if you have an old AC with R22, you’ll end up replacing it anyway.

Newer AC units run with R410A, an eco-friendly refrigerant that has become the gold standard in air conditioners. So, when you go with high-efficiency air conditioners, your home benefits as well as the environment.

Ask the AC Experts

Are you considering upgrading to a new air conditioner? Call Four Seasons Air Specialists. Our teams of AC professionals can determine what size and type of cooling system you need, making sure you’re maximizing your options. We’d love to talk to you and provide you with long-term solutions. We are your reliable Lino Lakes AC company.