The summer of 2011 was one of the hottest on record. As a Northeast Ohio homeowner, not only did you suffer through the heat when you were out of the house, you also had to feel the pain of high energy bills. This summer, upgrade to a new air conditioning system so you can stay comfortable while saving money.
Replacing your old equipment with a new, high-efficient air conditioning system can save you significant amounts of money but you have to know what ratings to consider as well as which features you need.
- SEER rating of 16 or higher. The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) is the best indicator of long-term A/C efficiency. It tells you how well the product converts fuel into cooling power over the course of a typical cooling season. The federal minimum for new central air systems is 13, though SEER numbers rise into the mid-20s.
- EER rating of 11.6 or higher. Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) is similar to SEER but it focuses on cooling power during the hottest times. It gives you a good indicator of how efficiently the model will operate during extreme heat.
- Variable-speed air handler. The air handler is responsible for providing airflow in your air conditioning system. Single-speed units run at 100 percent capacity at all times, while variable-speed handlers adjust the speeds according to conditions in the home. Running most often at a lower but more continuous speed, they save energy and provide superior air filtration and humidity control.
- Fan-only switch. The Midwest climate often cools off at night during the summer, so you can circulate your air at night without using the energy necessary to operate the A/C compressor.
- Filter check light. This gentle reminder makes it easy to keep your filter clean. A dirty filter can rob your system of up to 15 percent efficiency so you want to make sure your filter is always cleaned or replaced promptly.
- Auto-delay fan switch. Your fan should run for a few minutes after the compressor stops. If it doesn’t, you’re paying for energy to cool air that remains in the ducts.
To ensure you select the perfect air conditioning system for your home, contact Energy 1 Heating and Air Conditioning. With more than 50 years of service to Lorain and the Greater Cleveland area, we have the expertise to help you find the best A/C, install it correctly and maintain it for long-lasting savings.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about air conditioning systems and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Energy 1 Heating services the Lorain, OH area. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!
Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area