While cost is an important consideration for most homeowners when shopping for a new air conditioner, the price tag should not be your sole consideration when searching for a system that will save you money. Air conditioning accounts for a large portion of energy bills in the summer, so you should look for an energy-efficient system that will save money over time.
The U.S. government requires all air conditioning manufacturers to provide information about the efficiency of the unit. The rating system used to identify this is known as SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio). The SEER is calculated by determining the cooling capacity of an air conditioner in a standard cooling season and dividing this number by its total energy consumption. While the government only requires air conditioners to have a SEER of 13 or higher in order to be sold in the U.S., systems must have a SEER of 14 or greater to earn the approval of the Environmental Protection Agency.
The EPA has established a set of guidelines that air conditioners must meet to earn the ENERGY STAR. While a high SEER is an important consideration when purchasing a new air conditioner, you should also pay attention to whether or not your new system has received this distinguished symbol. ENERGY STAR systems meet strict guidelines of both performance and efficiency and release fewer pollutants into the air than conventional models.
While the ENERGY STAR label can help you determine energy efficiency, a high number alone will not save you money year after year. First, the system must be installed properly so that it doesn’t run into problems early on. Second, proper maintenance is necessary to ensure that your system remains efficient throughout its life. Be sure to clean or replace air filters about once a month and schedule maintenance every year. Scheduling maintenance with an AC technician helps restore some efficiency and improve performance.
An AC technician can help you find a system with the ENERGY STAR label, calculate the proper size, and professionally install the unit. For professional air conditioning service in South Dade, pick up the phone and call Air On Demand today to speak with a qualified technician about your AC needs.