High-Efficiency Air Conditioning: Benefits No Homeowner Should Overlook

Air conditioners by nature are one of the biggest energy-consuming devices in the home. They can contribute to higher electric bills, not to mention emissions in the atmosphere that can degrade the protective ozone layer. That’s why, when it comes time to upgrade, you should consider the benefits of high-efficiency air conditioning.

Superior efficiency

Today’s air conditioning systems are more technologically advanced than those produced as few as six years ago. For example, since 2006, air conditioners have been required to carry a seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) of 13. This ratio indicates the level of cooling output you can expect for your energy dollars over the course of the cooling season; higher ratings mean higher efficiency. Before 2006, these systems were required to carry a minimum SEER of 10. Even upgrading from a SEER 10 to a SEER 13 could improve efficiency by as much as 30 percent.

Superior features

Many of today’s high-efficiency air conditioning systems owe their superior efficiency ratings to improved component performance, and they also come with many convenient features:

• Dual-stage compressors – These compressors run at different speeds depending on the weather. Some summer days in North Carolina are really hot and sticky, but less humid days don’t require as high an output. This flexibility helps keep the energy bills down.
• Reduced noise – Technological advances have allowed for quieter operation. Be sure to ask your contractor about noise levels when choosing a system.
• Filter-check indicator – This will keep you on schedule with filter changes, which are essential to maximizing system performance.
• Refrigerant upgrades – Newer A/Cs are modernized right down to the refrigerants they use, which promote both high efficiency and environmental safety.

For more information regarding high-efficiency air conditioning and other issues on home comfort during the summer, contact Blanton’s Heating & A/C. We have extensive experience serving residents in the Fayetteville, North Carolina, and surrounding area, so we understand your air conditioning needs.