Summer in Nebraska can be smoldering—but the price of running air conditioning to reach comfortable temperatures during hot months can be discouraging. Here are a few tips on how to save energy with air conditioners for lower costs and a lesser impact on the environment.
According to the Department of Energy, central air conditioners are more efficient than room air conditioners. “In an average size home,” the website states, “air conditioning consumes more than 2,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year, causing power plants to emit about 3,500 pounds of carbon dioxide and 31 pounds of sulfur dioxide.” These numbers can be reduced, however, by installing a newer, more efficient air conditioning unit.
The Department of Energy states, “The most efficient air conditioners use 30% to 50% less energy to produce the same amount of cooling as air conditioners made in the mid 1970s. Even if your air conditioner is only 10 years old, you may save 20% to 40% of your cooling energy costs by replacing it with a newer, more efficient model.”
In addition to lowering your energy bill, newer air conditioners use chemicals that are less damaging to the environment for a greener approach to cooling homes. The Department of Energy’s statistics show that air conditioning units have become much safer in recent years: “Throughout the second half of the 20th century, nearly all air conditioners used chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) as their refrigerant, but because these chemicals are damaging to Earth's ozone layer, CFC production stopped in the United States in 1995. Nearly all air conditioning systems now use halogenated chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) as a refrigerant. The latest HCFC, HCFC-22 (also called R-22), began to be phased out in 2010 and stopped entirely in 2020. However, HCFC-22 is expected to be available for many years as it is removed and reused from old systems that are taken out of service. As these refrigerants are phased out, ozone-safe hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are expected to dominate the market, as well as alternative refrigerants such as ammonia.”
When looking for a new air conditioner, be sure to check for the Energy STAR label—the symbol of energy efficiency administered by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Units that have this qualification are about 15% more efficient than those that don’t. These air conditioners generally have a higher seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER), which indicates the relative amount of energy needed to provide a specific cooling output. Air conditioners with higher SEER ratings will save more energy, and therefore cost less to operate.
Other details to consider when shopping for a new air conditioning unit include variable speed, noise level, and filter check lights. The lifespan of a central air conditioner is usually 15 to 20 years, though they can last longer with proper maintenance and replacing of parts when necessary. If your air conditioner is old, consider replacing the entire unit, as this will save energy output and long-term costs. Be sure new units are correctly installed and insulated. Many air conditioners are not, which compromises their efficiency as a result. Details such as location, insulation, and duct work are crucial to ensuring your air conditioner works properly and lasts as long as possible.
To learn more, visit energy.gov and energystar.gov.
