Do you need to replace the air conditioning in your home, or are you looking to install an AC system in a home you’re building? In either case, you have many different options, some of which are much better than others. Choosing the right AC system for your home definitely matters since it can have a huge impact on your comfort level and your energy bills. That’s why we recommend looking for an AC that has some or all of these beneficial features.
High SEER2 Rating
Older air conditioners have a SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) rating that tells you how energy efficient they are. However, new units instead use the new SEER2 (seasonal energy efficiency ratio 2) ratings. The higher the SEER or SEER2 rating is, the more efficient the AC is.
Both ratings are determined by estimating the average energy usage of the air conditioner over the course of a year compared to its total cooling output in BTUs (British thermal units). When looking at a central AC, heat pump or ductless AC, you always have to consider the average energy usage over a year. That’s because the amount of energy it would use in any given hour or day can be dramatically different, depending on how hot and humid it is outside.
As of the start of 2023, the US Department of Energy requires that all new air conditioners installed in Florida must have a rating of at least 14.3 SEER2 (15 SEER). This is also true for any AC installed anywhere else in the Southeastern or Southwestern US. Going with just the bare minimum will lower your installation costs, but you’re definitely better off choosing a higher-rated unit if at all possible. That’s because the amount you’ll end up saving on your energy bills with a higher-efficiency unit will almost always offset the higher cost you have to pay for the unit upfront.
Each higher SEER or SEER2 rating is equal to an approximately 7% improvement in energy efficiency. That means choosing a 20 SEER2 unit would lower your air conditioning bills by more than 40% compared to if you just installed the minimum 14.3 SEER2 unit. Considering how much homes in Florida use their air conditioning, this difference can add up to savings of at least a few thousand dollars over your new AC unit’s life.
ENERGY STAR Certification
Choosing an ENERGY STAR-rated or -certified unit is an easy way to know that your AC will work fairly efficiently. However, not all ENERGY STAR units are actually all that efficient since any unit only needs a 15.2 SEER2 rating to qualify. Nonetheless, there is still a major advantage to making sure that your new unit is ENERGY STAR-rated.
Any ENERGY STAR unit will qualify you to earn a credit on your federal income taxes next year. You’ll automatically be eligible for a credit of up to 30% of the cost of installing any ENERGY STAR-rated central AC unit worth a maximum of $600. That is part of the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Tax Credit. This credit can mean that you’ll end up paying around the same price for a 15.2 SEER2 unit as you would if you chose the minimum 14.3 SEER2 unit.
Variable-Speed Technology
One thing that’s definitely worth at least considering is choosing a variable-speed AC system. This type of system has a variable-speed compressor and variable-speed blower. Both of these make it far more energy efficient than a single-stage or two-stage AC system. The reason is that the variable-speed motors continually adjust their speed to ensure the system uses as little electricity as it takes to keep the house at the right temperature. Most variable-speed systems can slow down to around 25% of their full cooling capacity, which means they would use 75% less energy when running at the lowest possible speed. While the system will often have to run at a faster speed than this, it will usually run at its highest speed maybe 20% of the time.
In addition to using so much less energy overall, variable-speed AC systems run constantly throughout the majority of the day. That’s another reason that they are a great choice for Florida homes. They constantly circulate just enough cool air around the house to keep every part of it as cool as it should be. As such, you’ll no longer experience issues with hot spots or the temperature fluctuating when the system shuts off like you do with standard AC systems.
Another advantage of running constantly is it enables the system to control humidity in your home much better since it’s continuously removing moisture from the air through condensation. Variable-speed systems are fairly expensive and cost more than any other central AC system. Nonetheless, the benefits they provide in terms of energy efficiency and improved temperature and humidity control can make them well worth it.
Energy-Saver Mode
Energy-saver mode or Eco mode is most commonly something you’ll find on window AC units and ductless mini-split air conditioners, but some central AC systems have it as well. You generally want to have any air conditioner set to Auto mode. In this mode, both the AC compressor and the fan will shut off as soon as the right temperature is reached. Having the fan shut off is important since it would just waste energy if it continues running after the compressor shuts off. It would also eventually result in warmer air blowing out of your vents until the compressor turns back on and the AC starts cooling again.
Energy-saver mode works slightly differently and is designed to reduce how much electricity the air conditioner uses. When running in this mode, the fan will still shut off when the compressor does. The difference is that, instead of the fan staying off until the thermostat signals the compressor to run again, the fan will run for a short time every 5-10 minutes.
This means it will start drawing in the cooler air near your floors through the return air vents and then circulate it around the house. Doing so helps to keep your home at a more even temperature and also works to reduce the rate at which it heats up. That said, the main purpose is that circulating the air ensures that the thermostat can more accurately read the actual temperature.
The reason that running the fan occasionally makes a difference is that the thermostat in many homes is in a place that doesn’t have good air circulation. That means it may not accurately register the correct temperature, leading to the AC running more often than necessary or not often enough.
Having the fan circulate air around the house helps to make the temperature more even and can prevent the AC from turning on again before it really needs to. It also helps to improve your comfort since it ensures that the AC won’t stay off for too long. This second factor is especially important in terms of energy savings. That is because your AC will end up using more energy if it stays off for too long and your home gets much warmer before it kicks on.
Reliable HVAC Experts
Our experts at Ahoy! Cooling & Heating are ready to help ensure all of your Tampa Bay home’s cooling and heating needs are met as effectively and as efficiently as possible. We offer a wide selection of new AC units and can help you find the best one for your house. You can also count on us for your HVAC maintenance and repair needs to ensure your home remains fully comfortable all year long.
If you want to ensure that your new AC meets your home’s specific needs, contact us to schedule a consultation with one of our AC installation experts.
