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Central Air Conditioning

Most central air conditioners are called “split-systems” because they have an outdoor component with a condenser and compressor, and an indoor component with an evaporator coil. When replacing with a new model, it’s very important to replace both of these components at the same time. Installing a new outdoor unit without replacing the indoor unit is likely to result in low efficiency, and may lead to premature failure of the system.

ENERGY STAR^® qualified and high efficiency central air conditioners have higher Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) and Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) ratings than today’s standard models, which makes ENERGY STAR models about 14% more efficient than standard models. SEER is the most commonly used measurement of efficiency for air conditioners. It measures how efficiently a cooling system will operate over an entire season. EER measures how efficiently a cooling system will operate when the outdoor temperature is at a specific level (95° F).

The central air conditioner also needs a blower motor (usually part of the furnace) to blow the cool air through the duct system. The only way to ensure that your new air conditioner performs at its rated efficiency is to replace your heating system at the same time. It’s especially recommended if your furnace is over 15 years old. If you purchase a new energy-efficient air conditioner but connect it to an older furnace and blower motor, your system will not perform to its rated efficiency.

Though these products can be more expensive to purchase up front, the cost difference will be paid back over time through lower energy bills. Remember that when buying new equipment, it is important to get quality installation. Make sure you hire a participating BPI Accredited contractor who can do the job right, as proper sizing of cooling equipment is critical to efficient operation and comfort.

Buyer’s Guide for Central Air Conditioning

• Ask for an ENERGY STAR or high efficiency model. When buying central air conditioning from a retailer or contractor, request an ENERGY STAR qualified or high efficiency model to ensure that you will realize the greatest savings.
• Check the yellow Energy Guide Label. Use the yellow Energy Guide Label to determine the model’s energy use, compare the energy use of similar models, and estimate annual operating costs.
• Sizing and Installation. When buying a new ASHP, sizing and installation are as important as product quality. Make sure you find a participating BPI Accredited contractor who will size your heat pump based on the conditioned volume and specific characteristics of your house or building including insulation levels, window types, air leakage, etc. Proper equipment sizing is based on your home or building's heat loss during cold weather and heat gains during warm weather. Sizing and other installation practices can dramatically affect how well your new equipment will deliver comfort and savings.

Energy-Saving Tips

• Consider regular maintenance. This will maintain your heating and cooling system performance.
• Change the Filter. Changing your filter regularly (at least every three months) is a good idea, but it is hard to know how much energy it actually saves. Check your filter every month, especially during heavy use months (winter and summer). If the filter looks dirty after a month, change it.
• Sealing Ducts. Ducts that move air to and from a forced-air furnace are often big energy wasters. Sealing and insulating ducts can improve the efficiency of your heating and cooling system by as much as 20%. You can get better heating and cooling performance with ENERGY STAR home sealing (insulation and air sealing) and duct sealing available through the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® Program.
• Test Air Flow. A participating BPI Accredited contractor will test the air flow of your heating and cooling system and make adjustments to make sure it is not too high or low, both of which will affect performance and comfort.