Air Conditioner Buying Guide
A quick guide to strategic product selection
Efficiency
The efficiency of cooling units is measured using the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). The SEER rating measures the amount of energy (Btu) used to produce cool air during a typical cooling-season, divided by the total electric energy input (kwh) during the same period. The higher the SEER rating of a unit, the more energy-efficient it is.
► View our Heating & Cooling Compare Technologies page to see how different heating and cooling systems compare to one another in terms of efficiency, environmental impact, lifecycle cost and purchase price.
ENERGY STAR
ENERGY STAR qualified central air conditioners have higher SEER ratings than standard models, which make them about 14% more efficient than standard models. If your central air conditioning unit is more than 12 years old, replacing it with an ENERGY STAR qualified model could cut your cooling costs by 30%.
► Look for the ENERGY STAR label when making your next air conditioner purchase.
Proper size
An HVAC contractor will "size" your air conditioning unit based on a customized "design load calculation.” Proper equipment sizing is based your home's heat loss during cold weather and heat gains during warm weather (not solely on the square footage of your home). Do not accept a unit that is too large for your home or assume that how it is currently sized is correct. Oversized equipment can cause reduced comfort and excessive "air" noise and will shorten the life of the equipment while undersized equipment can reduce the efficiency of the air distribution and accelerate wear on system components, leading to earlier failure. To learn more about proper sizing, visit ENERGY STAR’s Central Air Conditioner Sizing Tutorial.
Before installation
Seal and insulate your ducts
Ask your contractor about the condition of your air ducts. A good contractor should be able to test your air ducts to identify and seal leaks, typically using a duct blaster test (usually in the range of $200 - $300).
Ensure that your new unit has proper refrigerant charging
Recent studies suggest that approximately 75% of installed cooling equipment may have the incorrect amount of refrigerant. Incorrect refrigerant levels can lower efficiency by 5 - 20% and can ultimately cause premature component failure, resulting in costly repairs that could have been prevented. A good contractor will use one of three methods, recommended by equipment manufacturers, to verify the correct refrigerant level: super-heat, sub-cooling, or weigh. Ask your contractor how they verify that the refrigerant level is correct. In addition, you should know that since 1992, in order to protect the earth's atmosphere, all technicians must be certified to handle refrigerant. Ask your contractor to show you proof of his or her refrigerant handling certification.
Check for proper airflow
Have your contractor check and correct airflow. A good contractor will test the airflow of your heating and cooling system and make adjustments for optimal performance. If airflow is too high, duct leakage increases and the temperature at the register is not sufficient for optimal home comfort. If airflow is too low, distribution efficiency drops and accelerates the wear on system components leading to premature failure.
Buy local
To reduce carbon emissions associated with product transportation and to support your local economy, we encourage you to buy your air conditioner from a local manufacturer.
► Check our Heating & Cooling Compare Technologies page for manufacturers and manufacturing locations of different air conditioner products (click on a specific technology and then the "Manufacturers" tab to find this information).
Proper disposal
Recycle, donate or sell your old air conditioner. Note that air conditioning units may contain chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in their refrigerants. If emitted, CFCs contribute to both ozone depletion and climate change. Ensure your recycler is an EPA Responsible Appliance Disposal (RAD) Program partner. This is a voluntary partnership program that began in October 2006 to help protect the ozone layer and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.
Where can I find air conditioner products on Eco-rate?
Eco-rate does not feature air conditioner products and ratings because we have not been able to acquire adequate online pricing sources and/or vendors for such products. Offering both the economic and environmental costs of product ownership is integral to Eco-rate's mission. We recommend you review this Buying Guide, compare heating and cooling system technologies on our Heating & Cooling Compare Technologies page and then contact your local HVAC contractor to purchase and install an air conditioner.
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