If you have an air conditioner that is at least 15 years old, you might wonder if it is best to go ahead and replace it with a unit that is much more energy efficient before it fails on a 100-degree day.
Replacing an inefficient air conditioner with a more efficient model could significantly reduce your electric bill.
A new AC unit is 20 percent to 40 percent more efficient than one from the 1990s — and ENERGY STAR-certified systems are even more efficient.
How much money you save by replacing your AC unit depends on how often your AC runs, as well as your electric rate. The best way to determine possible savings is to have an in-home assessment conducted by a qualified heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) professional or a certified energy auditor. Your electric co-op is a good place to start with energy efficiency questions.
Your contractor needs to size the system to your home. If a unit is too small, it will not cool your home to the levels you want. If it is too large, it may not dehumidify your home sufficiently, and it will cycle on and off more frequently, which can increase wear and tear on the system and shorten its life significantly.
An HVAC contractor or energy auditor can test ductwork and make sure it is properly sealed, which can reduce energy costs and improve comfort. photo United Cooperative Service
In order to size the system, the contractor will need to look at the efficiency of the home by checking insulation levels. If you add insulation where it’s most needed, you may be able to install a smaller AC unit, and you should enjoy greater comfort and lower cooling costs. The HVAC contractor you hire should also assess your ductwork, which is often poorly designed, leaky or inadequately insulated.
As you talk to your contractor, it’s good to know there are several air conditioning options suited to different situations. It may or may not be practical to change to a different type of system.
Central air conditioning is generally one of two types: either split or packaged. A split system, which has the cold coils inside the home and an outside unit exhausting heat, is the most common. Packaged systems, which are sometimes installed because of space constraints, combine these functions into one box located outside the home.
A heat pump can provide cooling and heating in homes with or without ducts. If you are using propane or natural gas as your fuel source, this may be a good option.
Mini-split heat pump. They are typically mounted on the wall or ceiling. photo Central Electric Cooperative, Inc. (OR)
A ductless mini-split heat pump can be an efficient way to cool up to four zones inside the home. If your existing ductwork is in bad shape or poorly designed, this could be a good solution.
Window units are much less efficient than other options, but they can still be effective for cooling a single room. It’s worth paying a little more for a new ENERGY STAR-compliant unit, rather than the dusty $80 unit from the yard sale or auction that wheezes its way through the summer.
Evaporative (or “swamp”) coolers are an alternative in very dry climates. While they use a quarter of the energy and are less expensive to install than central air conditioning, they also require more frequent maintenance.
Replacing an aging air conditioner is a great way to improve comfort, cut energy costs and reduce peak energy demand. Go to smartenergytips.org for more information.
This column was co-written by Pat Keegan and Amy Wheeless of Collaborative Efficiency. For more information please visit:
www.collaborativeefficiency.com/energytips