If you are in the market for a new air-conditioner you might find that the industry has changed a bit since your last purchase. One of the buzzwords you have likely encountered in researching new air conditioners is “energy efficiency.” Although hearing about the energy rating of your new A/C might sound like nothing more than a sales pitch, there are legitimate benefits of an energy efficient air conditioner.
Why You Need an Energy Efficient Air Conditioner
There are a few reasons why energy efficiency should be a key consideration when it comes to air-conditioners:
- As far back as 2009 a Residential Energy Consumption Survey showed that almost 90% of homes in the U.S had air conditioning.
- Air-conditioners account for 5-10% of all electricity consumed in the United States.
- Homeowners spend over $11 billion annually running their A/C units.
- 100 million tons of carbon dioxide are released into the air each year from air-conditioners (about 2 tons a home).
As you see the reasons why you should purchase an energy efficient air conditioner are not just to save yourself money, it is to protect the environment as well.
Your full range of benefits from purchasing an energy efficient air conditioner includes:
Lowered Utility Bills
The purpose of any Energy Star appliance is converting more power into useful energy and thus reducing waste. Therefore, energy efficient air conditioners help to lower your utility bills by using less energy to cool your home. The higher the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER) on your unit, the lower these bills will be.
Generally Longer A/C Life Span
The best thing about an energy efficient air conditioner is that it does not have to work any harder to provide these improved results. It is like an ’87 Buick trying to putter up a hill compared to a brand new Cadillac. Making it up the hill is going to take a lot more out of the Buick (your old A/C) than it would the newer vehicle. As a result of this more efficient operation, you often see increased system life spans in newer more energy efficient systems.
More Reliable Cooling
An energy efficient air conditioner that maximizes input/output with no extra effort is also going to be more reliable than older, traditional A/C units. Components such as the blower motor, compressor, etc. will still need cleaning and other regular maintenance, but having an energy efficient air conditioner that is less likely to break down in the middle of a heat wave is a benefit that is priceless.
Energy Efficient Air Conditioners Increase Value of Your Home
With an annual savings of 20% or more, an Energy Star air-conditioner has a pretty quick payback rate. Not only will you be saving per month on lower utility bills, you will also be able to recoup most of the initial investment when it comes time to sell your home. New buyers want to save money too and an energy efficient air conditioner is a big selling point.
Learn More About Energy Efficient Air Conditioners
When you upgrade to an energy efficient air conditioner, you are not only saving money in the long run, but saving the environment as well. Contact the St. Louis heating & air conditioning experts at Galmiche & Sons today for your free quote or to learn more!
