Homeowners today are always on the hunt for way to save money with energy conservation. High-efficiency washers and dryers and LED light bulbs are among the most popular ways to reduce daily energy consumption in a home.
But what about air conditioners? An AC uses more energy during the summer than many other appliances will during the entire year—especially in a warm and humid place like Georgia. Reducing power consumption through the installation of a high-efficiency AC is one of the best ways to reduce utility bills.
We’ll show you how you can determine if the air conditioning in your house is energy-efficient…and what you can do if it isn’t. If you need new air conditioning installation in Canton, GA to upgrade to superior energy efficiency, contact the professionals at Comfort Zone Heating & Air today.
SEER and Energy Efficiency
First, find out the SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) of your air conditioning system: you’ll either find this specification on the AC’s cabinet or in its manual. SEER measures how well an AC converts electricity into cooling power, and the higher the number the better. In order to meet the U.S. Department of Energy’s ENERGY STAR requirements, an AC must maintain a minimum of 14.5 SEER. If you have an air conditioner with lower SEER, you should consider replacing it for an ENERGY STAR qualifying unit.
However, just because a unit has higher than 14.5 SEER doesn’t mean it’s working at its most efficient, especially if it is more than a decade old. Age, lack of maintenance, and the need for repairs will reduce the system’s effective SEER. Check on your utility bills over the past few years (we hope you’ve kept a record of them). Do you notice a steady rise in summer electrical costs over the years, discounting any rise in costs for electricity? That’s a sign the AC is losing efficiency from aging. If you are keeping up with regular maintenance, this decline is usually a strong sign that it’s time to replace the system. Call for a technician to see first if there are any repairs that may help. The technician can also perform airflow tests and check on the motor draw to see if the AC is losing its energy-efficient performance. The technician can then recommend whether you should have a replacement system put it.
Even if you have an air conditioner with around 15 SEER that doesn’t seem to be declining, if it is over 10 years old you should consider upgrading to a high-efficiency unit (some ACs can score 20 SEER or greater) to save energy in the long run.
Your local professionals in air conditioning installation in Canton, GA can assist with your options for a replacement that will make your home more energy-efficient. Comfort Zone Heating & Air can take care of keeping your home cool and your bills low.
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