Which Air Conditioning Units are the Most Efficient?
Guest Post by Rebecca Lee
A lot of people fail to read the specs of they’re newly-purchased AC unit before buying it.
It’s new, does its job, and affordable? . . . Might as well be good as sold!
That said, overlooking these crucial factors before securing the appliance can be a costly act.
While any air-conditioning unit can perform its primary function, not all of them are efficient in doing so.
This could be because of deterioration of the hardware, from a blown fuse to dirty filters or coils.
In some instances, it can also be because of the inherent limitations of the appliance itself.
When you leave these limitations unattended, you could inadvertently be causing your electricity bill to spike up quite considerably.
Over time, this could rack in thousands of dollars of extra costs—something no one wants.
If you’re in the market for the top air conditioning units for your home, you’ve come to the right place.
Here are some air conditioning units that are a cut above the rest in terms of energy efficiency.
Let’s begin!
What Makes an AC Unit Efficient?
There are factors to consider when measuring an air conditioner’s efficiency. Let’s look into some of them.
SEER Rating
The primary measuring system for AC efficiency is the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). This is a scale of efficiency that starts at 1 and goes all the way to 26 for the top-grade, efficient air conditioning units.
Most A/C units have a SEER rating attached to them. They’re usually found pasted at the back of the A/C unit in the form of a yellow and black EnergyGuide sticker. The rating may also be part of the name of the product model itself in number form.
SEER ratings are given to nearly all types of AC units, including central, mini-split, and window air conditioning units. This rating method has been around since 1987 and is still used today as a standard of measurement for cooling efficiency.
The higher the SEER unit, the less resources and energy the air conditioning unit requires to produce cooling for an area. When an A/C unit uses up fewer resources, it consumes less energy and rewards you with a happier electricity bill
Generally speaking, newer AC models are more energy efficient than older models. This is because they have undergone extensive development over time and the technology has made achieving a higher SEER number more simple.
Nowadays, you can typically find units with a SEER rating of around 13 to 15 at the minimum, which is already serviceable.
That said, some units with a SEER ranking of 19 to 24 are even more energy-efficient, but they typically come with higher upfront costs.
ENERGY STAR® Certification
If the product has an ENERGY STAR® certification, which is a blue sticker with the words ENERGY STAR written on it, you’re dealing with an efficient AC unit.
This symbol is a government-backed sign of energy efficiency, headed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
As this is regulated by a third-party organisation without business interests, this helps in removing any biases as only credible manufacturers can be given this label.
Energy Saving Features
Besides external labels that label the AC unit as environmentally friendly and cost-effective, a good sign of an efficient AC unit is when they are propped with energy-saving features.
For instance, some AC units, particularly split-type models, can automatically turn off when the surrounding zone reaches a certain comfortable temperature. This is often only the case if the A/C unit has inverter technology. This feature can save up to 50% of a home’s electricity bill if used regularly.
Some machines may also automatically turn the circulation and exhaust fan on or off as necessary, reducing energy consumption. Lastly, most A/C units have a timer feature that can turn the unit off after a set time has passed.
Which Air Conditioning Units are the Most Efficient?
There are four major types of A/C units: split, window, portable, and ducted (or central) A/C units.
Each type varies in terms of efficiency, and choosing the right one can also depend on your household’s size and your own financial capabilities.
But if you want the most efficient one for large houses, ducted A/C units are the way to go.
Want to know more? Here’s a breakdown of each AC type’s efficiency levels:
Ducted (Central) A/C Units
According to the Department of Energy, ducted A/C units are more efficient than room A/C units when cooling a big space.
This is because they come with a network of ducts that retrieve warm air in the house and then convert them using a refrigerant to cool air.
In the long run, having a ducted A/C unit is very efficient for your electricity bills. That said, the installation process can be quite difficult, so it’s best to consult HVAC experts Alliance Climate Control for them to help you safely set up your appliances.
Split A/C Units
Split-type air conditioning consists of two primary units: the indoor A/C unit, and a large outdoor compressor unit to remove air.
This type of AC unit typically has good SEER ratings, an inverter type, and a wealth of energy-saving functionalities. This makes them fairly energy efficient compared to other energy-intensive AC types. They may cost more upfront, but they’re cheaper to run over time.
They also come in other variants, such as mini ductless split AC units, which can make them even more energy efficient. This is because there’s no reliance on ducts for the unit to operate.
Examples of Split Type ACs you can find in the market include the Awoco 36″. Mitsubishi and Fujitsu also offer split-type ACs.
Window A/C Units
Window units boast the cheapest upfront costs, easy installation process, and highly accessible nature. You don’t have to search far and wide to grab a small box-type window AC, as there’s usually one or more in your local appliance store.
As far as efficiency goes, many window A/C types can be pretty energy efficient, especially if you don’t own a large house. If your living arrangement needs only three or fewer A/C units, window units are generally more efficient to run.
However, if you have a large house and want to bring cool air to all areas of your place, you may want to consider central or split A/C units.
Portable A/C Units
Portable A/C units provide flexibility, as they can be moved from one room to another. They also can come with a wealth of energy-saving features like a timer.
However, in the long term, they’re not as energy efficient as split types or window types. This is because the air in the room gets recycled again and again, leading to hot and humid air over time.
While a large room may seem like it would mitigate this problem given the larger volume of air, portable A/Cs also come with the cost of not having enough power to cool a big space. This makes them the least efficient A/C unit type.