Understand the Benefits of a High Efficiency Air Conditioner
Given energy prices that are fluctuating wildly on their way upward, more and more homeowners are seeking to go green and replace older appliances with more efficient models. That particularly is true in the case of air conditioners, which are almost in year-round use in our Florida climate.
The search for high efficiency air conditioners Orlando FL residents can rely on and afford means understanding the terms. What, exactly, does high efficiency mean in home cooling?
Rating Air Conditioners
The efficiency of an air conditioner is determined by its SEER score, a rating system set by law and overseen by the U.S. Department of Energy. SEER stands for “seasonal energy efficiency ratio,” which is determined by dividing its cooling output in British thermal units, or BTUs, by the amount of energy, or watt hours, it consumes during normal usage.
Generally speaking, a home air conditioner should have a SEER of at least 13. A high efficiency unit is one that has a SEER of 16 and above.
Benefits of High Efficiency Units
Installing a high efficiency air conditioner may cost somewhat more up front than lesser models. However, the unit can more than pay for itself over time and provide other benefits, as well.
Higher efficiency equals savings on utility bills. If you were to switch to a SEER 16 air conditioner from a SEER 8, for example, you could realize a 50 percent savings on your monthly bill.
Other benefits of high efficiency include better humidity control and a lower carbon footprint with fewer greenhouse gas emissions. There also may be tax rebates and grants available to help defray the initial cost of the unit.
If you are considering replacing an old air conditioner, contact the experts in cool at Apple Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc. We can help you compare the high efficiency air conditioners Orlando FL homeowners are using to save money and improve the environment.