June 2010 Newsletter

As the summer heats up and we turn the dial to cool down the house, you might

wonder, "How efficient and how effective is my air conditioner?" Fortunately the Department of Energy has developed a system to let you know just how efficient your air conditioner can be (under optimal conditions). The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) is clearly marked on every new air conditioner or heat pump.

A higher SEER rating leads to a more energy efficient unit. The typical SEER rating of air conditioners made before 1992 was around 6.0. The federal government established a minimum standard for units in 1992, requiring a SEER of 10. Residential air conditioners sold in the United States as of 2006 must have a SEER of at least 13. ENERGY STAR qualified Central Air Conditioners must have a SEER of at least 14.

If your central air conditioning unit is more than a dozen years old (SEER 10), you should seriously consider replacing it with an ENERGY STAR qualified model (SEER 14, 15 or 16) that would improve your cooling efficiency by 40%-60%.

ecobeco tells our customers that upgrading an older yet well-functioning air conditioner is generally not worthwhile because the energy savings do not justify the upgrade. But when it's time to upgrade, get the best air conditioner you can afford. Air conditioner and heat pumps have an estimated life of 12 years, which can be lengthened through proper maintenance. Nevertheless, for best pricing, you can buy 1) off-season; and 2) when you are NOT desperate because your existing air conditioner just broke!

In addition to the direct savings you will see from improved energy efficiency, several federal and state programs also exist to help you afford a new air conditioner (as long as the new system meets energy efficiency standards). Nationally, you can get a 30% tax credit on qualifying appliances. In the state of Virginia you can save up to $250, in Maryland there are several utility run programs such as Pepco's Home Energy Savings HVAC Program where you would save .

Even with an efficient air conditioner, you can improve your savings by making sure your system is properly maintained. Regularly replacing your old air filter and cleaning off your cooling coils can substantially improve the effectiveness of your heat pump. Have a professional balance the system, add coolant as needed, ensure your ducts are tight, and so on. HVAC professionals do this all day long and can help you optimize your system's performance.

Programmable thermostats can similarly help you save over $180 a year through

selective heating and cooling (especially for people who are out of the house during the day). Almost all utilities have low to no-cost programmable thermostat programs that will install one for free in exchange for allowing the utility to shut off your air conditioner during brief cycles on the busiest / hottest days. The shut-off is a minor and often unnoticeable inconvenience. We strongly recommend that you take advantage of these programs because they save you money and reduce the need to build new power lines. Pepco's Energy Wise Rewards is an example.

Of course, we can't leave out that the most efficient cooling energy is the energy that was not spent because you have a tight building envelope! Get a home energy audit from ecobeco to find out whether you can save money and improve comfort by air sealing your home.