The Most Important
Things You Need to Know About Conventional Air Conditioners
If you have
a conventional New York air conditioner or you are considering purchasing one, there are
some important things to know about how these machines work,
the operating cost, energy efficiency, cost, size, and maintenance. Conventional room air conditioners and
conventional central air conditioning are the most popular cooling methods in
use today in the U.S.
Conventional
air conditioners work by way of a very complex process with several critical
parts which essentially cool the air by pushing it across coils that are cooled
with a refrigerant to remove the heat from the air and re-circulate the cooled
air back into the home. An evaporator inside the home draws heat from the air.
The compressor pressurizes the evaporated fluid and sends it outside to the
condenser. The heat is then released to the outside and the fluid is pumped
back to the evaporator.
Central air
conditioners are rated on the basis of a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio
(SEER). The higher the number, the more
efficient the unit is and the less it will cost to operate it. Units manufactured before 1992 commonly had a
SEER rating of about 6. Standards in 2008, however, require that units have a
SEER rating or at least 10. If you are
buying a new conventional central air conditioner, you should look for a SEER
rating of 13 or more, if possible, and the unit should carry the EnergyStar seal.
Many of
these new units also have additional energy-saving features, such as the
ability to run the fan without activating the air conditioner, a programmable
thermostat, adjustable fan speed controls and high efficiency devices. The 2008
cost for a central air conditioning system, including installation will run in
the $3,000-9,000 range.
Choosing a
central air conditioning system of the right size is also important. Many homes today have oversized air
conditioning systems. Getting the right size unit will save both initial cost
and ongoing operating cost.
There are a
number of things you can do to increase the energy efficiency of your
conventional central air conditioner:
1. Seal ducts in unused portions of
the home.
2. Set your thermostat at 78°F
3. Change disposable filters every
month
4. Keep weeds and grass away from
the compressor
5. Have the system professionally
serviced every year
6. Turn the temperature up or off
during peak demand hours of the day
7. Install a programmable thermostat
8. Weatherize your home
With these
basic facts, you should be ready to make your existing conventional central air
conditioning system more efficient or to select a high-efficiency new
system. If you are trying to achieve
maximum efficiency, you should also investigate heat pumps. For more information, the American Council
for an Energy-Efficiency Economy lists the top rated air conditioners available
on their website
