Investing in a new air conditioner is a big decision. As you shop around for a new unit, going green may be at the top of your list. The good news is, technology has advanced leaps and bounds in recent years to make nearly all air conditioners much better for the environment.
But some are still better than others. If you’re interested in new air conditioning in Fairfield, PA, our team is here to help. You can keep reading to learn more about the eco-friendly air conditioning options that we recommend to our customers. Then give us a call to schedule your in-home assessment and we can make a recommendation based on your home’s unique needs.
Understanding Eco-Friendliness
When looking for an eco-friendly AC, the main thing to consider is how energy efficient the system is. The less energy that an air conditioner requires to cool your home, the more energy-efficient it is. One way to determine this is to check for ENERGY-STAR certified systems.
Another thing to look for is the system’s SEER2 rating. The higher the SEER2 rating, the more energy-efficient the system will be. Let’s look at systems that utilize SEER2 ratings.
Central Air Conditioners
A central air conditioner is the most common method of cooling a home. If you want to boost its eco-friendliness, consider a central AC with a higher SEER2 rating. To meet SEER2 requirements in our region, central air systems below 45,000 Btu must have a SEER2 rating of 13.4. However, there are ACs with SEER2 ratings as high as 21!
There are also more advanced central air conditioners such as variable-speed and inverter air conditioners. These allow the air conditioner to modulate or adjust the power level at which it runs. Compare this to a standard AC that is either “on” or “off” and lacks the ability to run at a lower speed that’ll consume less energy.
Heat Pump AC
A heat pump sets itself apart from a more standard central air conditioner in terms of efficiency. Heat pumps use SEER2 and HSPF2 ratings to determine energy efficiency. The HSPF2 rating refers to its energy efficiency when it’s in heating mode.
A heat pump uses energy transfer as the primary way of cooling. Plus, it’s also a heater so you have an all-in-one system for both heating and cooling. When it comes to energy efficiency, a heat pump is a great choice if you want to invest in a more eco-friendly option.
Ductless Mini Split
A ductless mini split is also operated by a heat pump system. However, since there are individual units in each room of your home, 100% of the cold air blows directly into the individual rooms and does not get lost in the network of ducts. Because of this, a mini split system can be up to 50% more efficient than a central air conditioner. When you’re talking about being eco-friendly, using less electricity to produce cooling is one step in the right direction.
To schedule your AC service, contact Premier HVAC Services today! Our team is ready to help.