Energy efficiency is one of the most important things for all homeowners, especially during summer seasons when our air conditioners are constantly on.
An inefficient air con cannot cool down your space for a reasonable price and that can be a real problem if you live in an area where temperatures go up above 35C. You may think about two options available – either to keep your units off as much as you could or to carry on paying the same high energy bills you pay every summer. However, here you will find some other ways to cool your houses more efficiently.
A portable or window air conditioner is not designed to run with efficiency that a central AC system can provide and can lower the temperature only in the room where it is in. Central units have higher efficiency ratings, so if you need to cool down several rooms in your house, we recommend you install a central system. It is an investment that will save you money in the long run.
If there is no ductwork in your house, you can achieve the same efficiency of a central AC unit with a ductless split system air conditioner. These also have indoor and outdoor units with the difference that there is one indoor blower and thermostat for each room that needs cooling as well as a central thermostat. The only renovation that this type of air conditioners require is drilling holes in your walls to connect the indoor units with the outdoor one. However, once you get the same efficiency standards as the ones provided by a central system, we are sure you won’t regret your decision.
When installing a new air conditioner, if you want it to operate more efficiently, make sure it is the right size for the space that needs to be cooled. Smaller ones are not powerful enough to cool down a larger space, so they need to run constantly. On the other hand, larger ones can short the cycle, turning on and off repetitively which can damage the components and also lower efficiency. So, before the installation, we recommend that you seek advice from a professional HVAC contractor who will help you get the right sized air con for your property.
Also, what you should be aware of when choosing a new unit is that more efficient AC systems have higher seasonal efficiency ratio (SEER). For the best results, go for a 16 SEER unit or more. It is true that you need to spend more upfront, but you will benefit greatly over time.