Installing a New AC? Here Are Five High-Efficiency Features to Look For
When buying a new AC, there are the main things that everyone looks for. You want an appropriately sized unit that meets the cooling needs of your home while keeping energy costs low. However, did you know there are some often-ignored features that could boost the performance and efficiency of a new air conditioning unit? Below are the top five high-efficiency features to look out for when shopping for a new AC system for your home.
Two-Stage Compressor
The compressor is the outdoor unit in the split and central air systems, and its work is to convert the refrigerant from gas to liquid and circulate it through the coils for heat exchange. A one-stage compressor works at full-blast all the time. It cools the home to the maximum, even on days when there is little heat, and this leads to energy wastage.
Two-stage compressors have two cooling levels, and they work at the lower level most of the time. They adequately cool the home without consuming a lot of energy and only run on a high level when there's sweltering heat. They are incredibly efficient and can cut down your cooling costs significantly.
Variable-Speed AC
Variable-speed ACs run at a low speed when less cooling is needed and at high speed during the hot summer days. This is unlike conventional units, which run at a constant speed regardless of the temperatures in the home. With a variable-speed model, your unit consumes less energy when less cooling or airflow is needed, keeping energy costs low as a result.
Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat is a must-have feature in a modern AC unit. The thermostat adjusts the temperature according to a series of programmed settings throughout the day. It can also turn the AC on and off. This means you can leave the unit on without worrying about energy wastage, as the thermostat continually regulates the temperature to the preset levels.
Fan-Only Operation
During days when you need less cooling, there is no need to keep the AC running full-blast. However, for models without a fan-only operation, this is usually the case. The compressor continuously runs to convert the refrigerant even when it's not entirely in the gaseous state. With a fan-only unit, the AC circulates the cool air already in the home without running the compressor. This significantly reduces the energy used when running the system.
Filter-Change Indicator
Most people don't know when to change their AC filters, and as a result, they end up changing filters when they are too worn or dirty. By then, the energy consumption has spiked and AC performance deteriorated. You can avoid the guesswork by getting a unit with a filter-change indicator. A light blinks on the system when you require a filter change to ensure system efficiency.
Contact a company that offers residential air conditioning installation services to learn more.