Summer is officially underway in Minneapolis, which means that your air conditioner is back up and running. If your air conditioner is struggling to keep your home cool, it might be time to look at more options. In this market, there are so many different air conditioners to choose from. How do you know if you want a standard air conditioner or a high efficiency air conditioner? We broke down the choices to help you with this decision.
Understanding SEER
Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, or SEER, is the measurement of how efficient an air conditioner is. It is measured by comparing the coolness of the air from the air conditioner, measured in British Thermal Units (BTU), and divide it by the amount of energy consumed in watt-hours. Higher efficiency air conditioners have lower amounts of energy consumed, making its SEER rating higher than standard air conditioners.
Cost Comparison
In initial costs, standard air conditioners are cheaper to purchase and install in your home. However, energy costs to run a standard air conditioner are higher than high efficiency air conditioners because standard uses more energy to produce the same amount of cool air. Over time, those costs will add up. High efficiency air conditioners saves some homeowners around one-hundred dollars a year on energy costs. Over the years, the reduced energy cost pays back the initial cost of the purchase and installation of a high efficiency air conditioner.
Performance Comparison
Air conditioners have three different types of fans that circulate air in the air ducts. Standard air conditioners usually have a single stage or two stage fans, which means that the fans cool the home until the preferred temperature. In a single stage, the system will shut off until the home heats up, and it has a tendency to release a cool air blast as it turns back on. In a two stage, the system will enter the second stage after the house is cool to keep air flowing throughout the home. In newer air conditioners, there is a variable stage option. The variable stage has many fan settings that can adjust the cool air by fractions of a degree, optimizing energy efficiency. The energy needed to continually turn on the air conditioner is eliminated with the variable stage fan.
Other Options
There are also other options to cool your home besides air conditioners. One of those is a ductless mini-split. The ductless mini-split is a solution to cool or heat one room that is not reached by the air ducts. It uses both an outside and inside component, but indoor units are controlled per room and mounted on a wall or ceiling. Another option is a heat pump. A heat pump is designed just like an air conditioner, but it can also be reversed in cold weather to heat your home as well. Learn more about these options from the HVAC experts and Twin City Heating and Air.
We are ready to help keep you cool this summer with our cooling options and find out the best solution for you. Call Twin City Heating and Air to make an appointment for your air conditioner tune-up or replacement, or check out our cooling products on our website.
