With climate concerns emerging to take center stage over the last decade, homeowners in Oregon and the rest of the United States have started searching for ways to be more eco-friendly. By investing in the best energy-efficient air conditioners, you can reduce your carbon footprint, improve your family’s comfort, and spend less on your energy bills. Plus, the top ACs have filters that remove harmful contaminants from the air.
For many homeowners, learning how to choose an energy-efficient air conditioner can be daunting. Our team of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) professionals can help you determine the energy capacity your home needs and how to find an energy-efficient system. Find out more by reaching out to Central Air Heating, Cooling & Plumbing today!
How Do Energy Efficiency Metrics Work?
While the ENERGY STAR logo indicates if a unit is considered energy efficient or not, the SEER2 and EER ratings will give you a more granular look at how your device consumes energy. Both of these figures reflect how efficient an AC is at using power, although they have slightly different formulas for making this determination.
SEER2
When trying to find the best energy-efficient AC units, start by looking at the air conditioner’s seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER2). This figure is calculated by measuring the cooling output during a typical season, divided by the total electric energy input. To better reflect real-world parameters, the original SEER formula was updated to create today’s SEER2 method. For better energy efficiency, you should look for a device that has a higher SEER2 rating.
EER
The energy efficiency ratio (EER) is another ratio used to show an AC’s efficiency. It reflects the unit’s ability to cool in relation to the power input. The cooling capacity in this calculation is reflected in British Thermal Units (BTUs), and the input is represented in watts. EER2 is the updated version of the original EER rating and uses revised testing conditions to better reflect real-world efficiency, though it is often still referred to as EER.
Both SEER2 and EER are able to reflect how efficient an HVAC system is. However, SEER2 looks at how efficient the unit is over the course of the entire cooling season. In comparison, EER focuses on the AC’s efficiency at a specific, high temperature level.
Types of Air Conditioners and Their Efficiency
Before looking for the best energy-efficient AC units and which features you need, you first need to consider the type of AC your home requires. For the best level of energy efficiency, you’ll generally want to use a central air conditioner, heat pump, or ductless mini-splits.
- Central Air Conditioners: A central air conditioner uses an indoor air handler, an outdoor condenser, and a network of ducts to transfer cooled air throughout your home. While this method of cooling is incredibly efficient, it does necessitate ductwork. If you don’t already have existing ducts, you’ll need to get them installed in order to set up a central AC.
- Heat Pumps: Heat pumps, like central air conditioners, use refrigerants to hold and transfer heat. Unlike central ACs, heat pumps can reverse the direction of heat transfer, so you can also use them to heat your home in the winter. This incredibly versatile option has a reputation for its energy efficiency. Like central ACs, heat pumps require ductwork to move air throughout your home.
- Ductless Mini-Splits: Ductless mini-splits are designed to operate in an individual zone or room. This type of personalized temperature control is ideal for home offices or guest rooms. These units don’t rely on ductwork to move cooled air, so they are a good option for homes that don’t have existing ducts installed already.
There are also additional options on the market, like window units and portable ACs. However, these options aren’t intended to cool a large space efficiently, so they generally aren’t the best choice for most homeowners.
Picking the Correct AC Size
To get the most energy-efficient air conditioners, you’ll need to determine the best size for your home. Besides impacting your home’s energy efficiency, getting the wrong AC size can also determine the longevity of your HVAC equipment and the frequency of repairs. For example, an overly small AC will need to stay on for extended periods, leading to increased wear and inefficient cooling.
Meanwhile, an oversized AC will reach the right temperature too quickly. This will cause it to turn off and on more frequently than normal, increasing the likelihood of repairs.
As a general rule, most homes need an air conditioner that has a 1-ton to 5-ton capacity. To put this in perspective, each ton contains 12,000 BTUs per hour. You can get a general idea of the BTUs you need by using an online calculator and your home’s square footage. However, you’ll need one of our HVAC technicians to calculate a more exact AC capacity. For the best accuracy, you need to include the insulation in your home, the ceiling height, the number of windows, how many occupants there are, sun exposure, and similar factors.
Key Features To Keep in Mind
While each family has unique comfort needs, there are a few standard features that you’ll find in the best energy-efficient AC units. As you shop for a new AC installation, make sure you look for the following options.
- Smart Features: Thanks to modern technology, many ACs are equipped with a range of smart features that can lower your energy costs. For example, remote monitoring, performance optimization, and automated notifications ensure your AC is fully optimized. If a filter needs to be changed or there is a performance issue affecting the AC’s energy consumption, you’ll get a notification on the screen of your smart thermostat or through your smartphone.
- ENERGY STAR: ENERGY STAR certifications are given to air conditioners that have achieved a high level of energy efficiency.
- AC Capacity: For the highest energy efficiency and longevity, you need to find an AC that has the right size and capacity for your home.
- Programmable Thermostats: A programmable thermostat allows you to program different temperatures throughout the day, so you can save money when you’re out and about. In fact, smart thermostats have been found to reduce heating and cooling expenses by up to 8% per year.
- Air Purification: When getting a new HVAC in Portland, consider its air purification features. For example, active charcoal filters, HEPA filters, and UV lights are a few of the most popular filtration methods that can be used to improve the air quality in your home.
- Variable-Speed Compressors: When ACs are outfitted with variable-speed compressors, they can operate at varying intensities instead of simply being on or off. Thanks to this feature, they can function more efficiently.
- Noise Levels: Older and larger units tend to be noisier. If noises bother you, you may want to carefully consider the type and model of the unit that you get.
- Humidification: For a more comfortable home, you may want to invest in a humidifier.
Installation and Maintenance Tips
After figuring out how to choose an energy-efficient air conditioner, you need to learn how to care for your AC over the long term. Good installation and maintenance practices can increase the longevity of your HVAC system and prevent unexpected breakdowns.
Whenever you buy a new AC, you should always pay for professional installation services. On a practical level, professional installations ensure the AC is operating as efficiently as possible. Moreover, many HVAC warranties explicitly require professional installation for the warranty to remain valid.
Once your AC is installed, it must be maintained properly. The manufacturer will generally specify how often the air filter must be changed. For most ACs, the filter must be cleaned or replaced every 30 to 90 days.
Each spring, you should schedule a professional AC tune-up. One of our HVAC technicians can inspect your AC unit, clean the coils, check the refrigerant levels, and lubricate moving parts. By getting routine maintenance performed on a consistent basis, you can ensure your AC is operating as efficiently as possible.
Boost Your Energy Efficiency
To spend less on your energy bills each month, consider using the following tips to maximize your energy efficiency.
- Close the Blinds: During the sunniest part of the day, close your blinds and curtains to keep the sun from warming up the inside of your home.
- Increase Your Thermostat: If you increase the temperature by 7°F to 10°F for just eight hours of the day, you can save up to 10% on your energy bills. The Department of Energy recommends that homeowners consider setting indoor temperatures between 75°F and 78°F to lower energy costs.
- Turn on Ceiling Fans: To stay cool and spend less on energy costs, try turning on your ceiling fans. A ceiling fan improves air circulation, reducing your AC’s workload. Additionally, it makes warmer temperatures feel cooler, allowing you to increase the setting on your thermostat.
- Get a Programmable Thermostat: One of the easiest ways to save money is through a programmable thermostat. This device allows you to program different temperature settings into your AC, so you don’t spend money to cool an empty house during the day.
Cost Considerations and ROI
An energy-efficient cooling system may cost more upfront, so it helps to look beyond the purchase price. Compare the installation cost, expected energy use, and maintenance needs of each option. Your potential savings will depend on the equipment you’re replacing, how often you use your system, and your local energy rates.
The Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit previously covered 30% of qualifying heat-pump costs, up to the $2,000 annual limit, for eligible systems installed and placed in service during 2023 through 2025. Equipment placed in service after December 31, 2025, no longer qualifies. For an installation in 2026 or later, exclude this federal Section 25C credit when calculating your potential savings.
You may still find rebates that make a qualifying upgrade more affordable. If you’re considering a heat pump, Energy Trust of Oregon’s cooling incentives outline offers for ducted and ductless systems. Eligibility depends on factors such as your utility provider, existing heating equipment, home type, and the system being installed. A heat-pump rebate should not be applied to an estimate for a cooling-only central air conditioner.
Before settling on a system, contact our team to compare your installation options and review applicable incentives. We can help you understand the costs involved so you can choose equipment that fits your home, comfort needs, and budget.
Environmental Impact
By investing in the best energy-efficient AC units, you can improve the impact you have on the environment.
- Lower Carbon Footprint: Today, 38% of Oregon’s electricity is made by burning natural gas. While natural gas is cleaner than coal, it still produces emissions. By decreasing the amount of energy you use, you can reduce your carbon footprint.
- Reduced Demand on Power Plants: Lowering your electrical consumption is also important because of how electricity is supplied. Many power grids use baseline sources, like Oregon’s hydroelectric plants, that produce a consistent level of energy. Because these baseline sources generally can’t be brought online in an instant, other power plants can quickly supply power during peak consumption periods. Often, these power plants use dirtier fuel sources. When you lower the amount of power you need during peak times, you also reduce the amount of power required from less clean sources.
- Safer Refrigerants: R-410A is gradually getting phased out in favor of newer refrigerants, but some ACs may still use it. By getting a new, energy-efficient model installed, you can convert your home to use a more eco-friendly refrigerant type.
- A Commitment to Sustainability: When you switch to an energy-efficient HVAC system, you can support the environment and long-term sustainability goals.
Schedule a Consultation Today
Whether you need help calculating your ideal AC capacity or want to discuss the latest ductless mini-splits, our team is here to help. We have years of experience providing Portland residents with the top energy-efficient air conditioners available in the marketplace.
Find out more information about air conditioner installation and replacement services by visiting our website today.