• Ensure you’re getting the most efficiency by buying the right AC size for your home and paying attention to SEER2 ratings.
• Never be afraid to get a professional opinion while shopping for a new, efficient air conditioner.

What is the Most Energy-Efficient Air Conditioner?

With a sizable initial price tag and an average expected lifespan of around 15 years, purchasing a new air conditioner is an investment in your home’s future comfort. With a bit of research, it can be an investment in lower energy bills and “greener,” more efficient operations within your home as well. 

In recent years, energy-efficient air conditioners have become a must-have for modern homes, especially those running on outdated and clunky HVAC systems. However, with so many options and so many variables to consider, shopping for the right air conditioner can feel like a daunting task for many home and business owners. 

Fortunately, there are a few steps you can take to make the process easier and to ensure you’re getting the air conditioner you need for your home’s unique needs.

Choose the Right Air Conditioner Size for Your Home

One of the most common places where people go wrong when buying air conditioners is purchasing a unit that’s either too large or too small for their home. Because units aren’t exactly marked with effective square footage labels, it’s an understandable and easy mistake, especially for those new to shopping for ACs. However, getting the size right is crucial, especially if you want an efficient air conditioner in the years to come.

Having a unit that’s too small for your home means that the air conditioner will struggle to keep your home’s interior cool. This means it’s likely running too frequently, which wastes energy and puts undue strain on the AC itself. Meanwhile, having an air conditioner that’s too large causes short cycling, and uses too much energy to create an unnecessary amount of cool air for your home. Striking a balance is a must.

Fortunately, there are resources available for those looking to find the right size. Energy Star charts and calculation guides are available online. Even better yet, you may have the option of reaching out to local AC repair professionals, who can inspect your home and give you a precise recommendation for air conditioner sizing. 

SEER2 and EER Scores

When you take a peek at the Energy Star tag on any AC unit, you’re likely to spy SEER2 and EER scores among the list of information there. These figures are crucial when it comes to picking efficient air conditioners. 

SEER2 stands for “seasonal energy efficiency rating” and measures the efficiency of a particular model throughout seasonal changes and the many variables that come with those transitions. EER stands for “energy efficiency rating” and provides a broader overview of the efficiency of air conditioners. 

The higher these scores, the more efficient your air conditioning experience will be. Most newer models have a minimum rating of 13, but it’s still beneficial to invest in air conditioning units with higher SEER2 ratings in most cases.

Consider Energy Star Certified Models

Not all air conditioners receive Energy Star certification. These rewards are given to air conditioning units that have proven to meet or exceed efficiency standards compared to similar models. 

Generally, those that are certified can be easily identified by a blue sticker on the unit’s information. While there are certainly efficient units that do not bear the blue sticker of certification, this is always a good place to start if efficiency is one of your top concerns when shopping and helps to seriously narrow down your options.

Customizable Settings

Many air conditioners come with customizable settings that allow you to lower your energy use manually. Units with an “energy saver” setting are excellent options. When this setting is turned on, both the compressor and fan turn off once your home is cooled, which can lower the cost of your monthly energy bills over time.

Programmable temperature settings are also must-haves if you’re serious about getting the best possible efficiency out of your air conditioner. A unit that works with a programmable thermostat allows you to create a custom cooling schedule that keeps your home cool and comfortable when your family is home but keeps operations at a minimum to save energy when the house is empty. This is a simple upgrade, but one that can save you a lot of cash when it comes to your energy costs.

Installing a smart AC unit is yet another way to more closely control your AC’s overall efficiency. Smart ACs can be found in all shapes and sizes, including split unit, portable, window, ductless and more. For a full central AC unit, a smart thermostat can be installed to get the job done.

Consult the Professionals

With so much information available online about choosing an AC unit, it can be easy to narrow down your list of energy-efficient air conditioners on your own. However, consulting the professionals before making your final purchase will give you the peace of mind you deserve when making such a significant and impactful purchase. Whether you’ve got your eye on window units or the biggest central AC unit with the highest SEER2 rating, an expert can steer you in the right direction to find the perfect model for your home and your budget.

Contact Howard Air

Whether you’re just starting your search for an energy-efficient air conditioner or you’ve already narrowed your list down to two or three options, the professionals at Howard Air are here to ensure you’re on the right track. 

Contact us today to learn more about choosing an efficient AC unit for your home and how we can help you get the most out of your energy-efficient AC system in the coming years. 

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