People today are increasingly more aware of the negative effects the technologies we use on a daily basis have on the environment. That’s why modern devices are specifically designed to be as energy-efficient as possible, while harmful chemicals such as the old Freon AC refrigerant are being discontinued and replaced with more eco-friendly alternatives.Â
But what about the AC you use to cool down your home? Is it true that newer ACs not only spend a lot less power, but also don’t require air conditioning repair nearly as often as their older counterparts do? Is equipping your home in Chandler going to significantly reduce your energy expenditures? Read on to learn the answers to these questions.Â
Do air conditioners use a lot of electricity?
Air conditioners work in a similar way to refrigerators. If you live in an apartment or a small house, a split-system air conditioning unit is a highly cost-effective cooling option. However, when buying one, make sure to install it in an optimal spot to enable the air to circulate without obstacles.
On the other hand, if your house is larger and you need more window units to cool it down, investing in a central air conditioning system is likely the more cost-effective option. These systems are also easy to install, as they only need to be hooked up to your existing heating ducts.Â
Energy-wise, air conditioning and other cooling units use:
- Window unit – between 0.9 and 1.8 kWh
- Central unit – between 3 and 3.5 kWh
- Ceiling fan – between 0.025 and 0.075 kWh
- Whole house fan – between 0.2 and 0.4 kWh
- Pedestal fan – 0.03 kWh
As you can see, energy consumption of air conditioners is nothing compared to a fridge, which uses 90-150 kWh. Adding an air conditioning unit won’t significantly increase your electricity bill as much and can even save you money. The only question that remains is: which air conditioner should you choose?
Are new air conditioners more energy efficient?
If we look at the history of air conditioners, we can conclude that the first ones were not so cheap and very energy-consuming. When the U.S. Department of Energy passed legislation in 1992 regarding the air conditioning requirements, only ACs that had an efficiency of 6 SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) were allowed to be produced and sold.
This number was changed in 2006 to 13 SEER, so most of today’s older air conditioners have this efficiency. Newer models are rated from 14 to 20 SEER. This change occurred because the higher the SEER, the less power the unit consumes. Using newer models also improves the quality of the airflow and, combined with the HVAC filter, helps in purifying the air and keeping it free of allergens, dust, and dander.
If you choose a central air conditioning unit, you’ll get a thermostat as well, which makes it even easier to control your AC. What’s more, getting a central AC unit doesn’t necessarily mean an increase to your electricity bills. Depending on the outdoor temperatures, setting your thermostat down to a lower temperature can even be cost-effective.
Where can I find the best air conditioning repair service in Chandler?
Although modern ACs are built to last, they still need to be serviced on a regular basis to remain as efficient as possible. That’s where Hughes Air comes in. Our team of HVAC experts in Chandler is ideally equipped to install, repair, and maintain your air conditioners, regardless of model, production date, or size. Take a day off and visit the Arizona Railway Museum while we make any AC-related problems you may have disappear!