UNDERSTANDING YOUR A/C - PART I

If you are like most Americans, you probably just ignore your air conditioner, at least, until it breaks. Then, you just want it fixed; like, yesterday.

But taking the time to understand certain air conditioning terms before you fix your air conditioner can make all the difference in your long-term electricity bills. Knowing (and using) these four terms could also save you thousands of dollars next time you replace your unit.

Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio

SEER is a measure of a systems efficiency. The more efficient the system, the cheaper it is to operate. (And more energy-efficient systems are also better for the environment, so it is a win win.) The U.S. Department of Energy states that 13 is the minimum SEER rating for systems produced today (some older ones have ratings of six or less). According to Ed Purvis, vice president of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning company Emerson Climate Technologies, a unit with a SEER rating of 16 or more could save you about $415 a year (compared with an older, low-efficiency model).

As you might guess, higher-SEER models are also more expensive. The ideal balance for your home will depend on where you live and how often you use air conditioning. For example, having a 25 SEER system for a home in Minneapolis, where you would turn on your unit just a few days of the year, does not make much sense, Purvis writes in an email, but a high-SEER system makes perfect sense if you live in Dallas.

Modulation

Modulated, or variable-speed, air conditioners are less expensive to run. Basically, they vary the amount of energy used to power the air conditioner. So instead of feeling like your house is freezing when the air conditioning is on, and feeling too warm when it kicks off, you will get an even temperature.

Modulated systems also help control humidity, which is one of the main factors in how hot you feel. When humidity is better controlled, you may get away with setting the A/C at a higher temperature. Because of this, a modulated system could save more than $870 per year, according to Purvis.

For more information visit www.evenflowmechanical.com