Tips from the ACEEE!

Source: http://aceee.org/consumerguide/cooling.htm The ACEEE or American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (Imagine embroidering that on your lapel...)provides a consumer guide to improving air conditioner efficiency, whether that's simply 'cool'-proofing your home, or starting with a brand new system they have suggestions for you. The part of their page that I am going to highlight with this post is the 3rd step or selecting a new system. They don't give calculations on what brand names are particularly better than others, but rather approach the issue as what types of things one should look for. The ACEEE looks at Air conditioners/heat pumps, evaporative coolers, room air conditioners and even duct-less mini-splits. (I only posted information about central ac/heat pumps here, but please check their website for more information.) Here's what they had to say about central air conditioning/heat pumps:

Central AC and Heat Pumps
Central air conditioners and air source heat pumps are both widely used in the U.S. and are the best option for maintaining comfort in areas that experience high humidity. Heat pumps are much more efficient than central air conditioners and can be used very effectively both for heating and cooling in southeastern states. Both central AC and air source heat pumps are rated according to seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER). This is the cooling output divided by the power input for a hypothetical average U.S. climate. The higher the SEER, the more efficient the air conditioner. To get the best performance and highest efficiency possible from your new system, consider the following:

• ACEEE recommends SEER of at least 14.5 In all climates, ACEEE recommends consumers purchase new cooling equipment at the ENERGY STAR level. If you live in a very hot-humid climate, consider the advanced efficiency levels as defined by the Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE). Your utility may offer incentives for equipment at these levels. Air conditioners and heat pumps meeting these performance criteria can be found by running a search in the ARI/CEE HVAC Directory.
• ACEEE recommends EER of at least 11.6 This ensures the unit is efficient throughout the year and when it is needed most (on the hottest days). If you live in a hot-dry climate, ACEEE recommends a high SEER (15) but a high EER is less important: 11.5 or 11.6 is adequate. Better yet, consider an evaporative cooler instead.

ACEEE reminds homeowners that with an upgrade, especially to a SEER of 14 or more, there are considerable energy savings that go with it. To fully calculate this number (you will need to know how much your electric company charges kilowatt per hour (or however your electricity is measured)). Energy price calculators can be found a couple different places: Energystar.gov has a calculator, many of the brand names (carrier, bryant, etc.) have calculators on their websites, and your electricity company may even have a calculator of their own (probably a more accurate count of your own electrical charges). Another important thing to remember is to make sure your indoor and outdoor units match - because if they don't the life of the 'younger' unit will be very short and the units will not be running at the appropriate SEER. This is important because if the condenser and the furnace don't match, you will not save money or energy and the units will not work like they are supposed to. The ACEEE has many other helpful homeowner tips, media links and other sources of information. Other sources for finding an air conditioner are posted on the website: http://www.consumersearch.com/www/house_and_home/air-conditioner-reviews/reviews.html