Air Conditioning System Efficiency
Sizing Up A Unit
Having the proper sized unit installed is critical during the AC or air conditioning installation to maximizing energy savings. The popular method of calculating heating and cooling demands is to use the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) Manual J-compliant load calculation. We will carefully measure your home and evaluate its levels of insulation. Windows’ sizes and quantity will be noted, levels of infiltration will be estimated and internal loads including lighting and kitchen appliances will be taken into consideration.
Proper Installations Ensure Maximum Efficiency
In order to attain maximum potential efficiency of your AC equipment you must have a properly designed air distribution system. This means proper sized, insulated and sealed ductwork for both supply and return air.
Air Conditioning SEER Ratings
There are a number of factors that can cause unexpected fluctuations in your monthly energy bill: how well your home is weatherized and insulated, thermostat settings, and the age of major appliances, including your air conditioning unit.
SEER ratings are a great first step to a lower electricity bill. Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER), is an industry efficiency rating that measures how efficiently a cooling system will operate over an entire season. The higher the SEER, the more efficient the air conditioner. Technically speaking, SEER is the ratio of the cooling output in Btu divided by the power consumption in watt-hours.
Today, it is rare to see air conditioning seer ratings in the United States rated below SEER 9 because aging, existing units are being replaced with new, high efficiency AC systems. The United States now requires that residential systems manufactured after 2005 have a minimum SEER rating of 13. AC or air conditioning installations utilizing ENERGY STAR high-efficiency central air conditioners must have a SEER of at least 14.
SEER Savings
Estimated Annual Dollar Savings Per Ton
|
New Unit |
|||||||||||||
| HSPF | 7.0 | 7.2 | 7.4 | 7.6 | 7.8 | 8.0 | 8.2 | 8.4 | 8.6 | 8.8 | 9.0 | 9.2 | |
|
O l d U n i t |
4.0 | $218 | $226 | $234 | $241 | $248 | $254 | $261 | $267 | $272 | $278 | $283 | $288 |
| 4.5 | $162 | $170 | $177 | $184 | $191 | $198 | $204 | $210 | $216 | $221 | $226 | $231 | |
| 5.0 | $116 | $124 | $132 | $139 | $146 | $153 | $159 | $165 | $170 | $176 | $181 | $186 | |
| 5.5 | $79 | $87 | $95 | $102 | $109 | $116 | $122 | $128 | $133 | $139 | $144 | $149 | |
| 6.0 | $48 | $57 | $64 | $71 | $78 | $85 | $91 | $97 | $103 | $108 | $113 | $118 | |
| 6.5 | $22 | $30 | $38 | $45 | $52 | $59 | $65 | $71 | $76 | $82 | $87 | $92 | |
| 7.0 | $0 | $8 | $16 | $23 | $30 | $36 | $43 | $48 | $54 | $59 | $65 | $70 | |
