Benefits of Choosing a High Efficiency Air Conditioner For Your Chicago Home
Everyday, the benefits of choosing energy efficient technology become more obvious. Regardless of your opinions on matters of global warming and the consumption of natural resources, we all can appreciate the added financial savings that energy efficient products offer. The same is true for heating and air conditioning equipment. If you are living in a home with an ac unit that is over 15 years old, the chances are good that you are not among your most efficient neighbors. While it would be nice to upgrade your system because you want to, the reality is that most everybody waits until they need to. So, if the time has come to replace your old central air conditioning system, now is the perfect time to upgrade to a high efficiency air conditioner.
SEER Ratings & High Efficiency Air Conditioner Models
Fortunately, almost all air conditioners manufactured today are leaps and bounds ahead of their predecessors when it comes to energy efficiency. That being said, you will still have many options to choose from when the time comes to upgrade. Many homeowners looking to choose a high efficiency air conditioner will have to consider what SEER rating they want to achieve. SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio and is used to determine energy efficiency in Home cooling systems. SEER Ratings commonly range from 13 to 18+. With Higher SEER Ratings comes higher efficiency and higher equipment costs. The real decision is choosing what is best for you and your budget.
High Efficiency Air Conditioner models with 18+ SEER ratings can offer larger energy savings, but you may never recoup the initial costs of the more expensive equipment. However, models with higher SEER scores often come equipped with options such as multiple stage compressors that offer more overall comfort. Another consideration is your furnace. If you have an older 80% furnace, you will not achieve the ultimate operating conditions to create maximum efficiency. That is why it is often recommended to replace the furnace at the same time as the AC.
While it would be nice to install the best furnace and best air conditioner, the reality is that most homeowners don’t see the benefit, or can’t afford the high price. In the end many consumers choose to install models that are 13 to 16 SEER. These units are still far more efficient that older equipment, and will provide you with a decent monthly savings on your electric bill. If you can swing it, consider installing a variable speed furnace to maximize the efficiency of your new AC and to increase comfort around in your home.
If you are interested in installing a high efficiency air conditioner in your Chicago home, contact the Indoor Air Quality Experts at Polar Heating and Air Conditioning today for FREE Estimate.
