Energy efficient air conditioners are air cooling systems that are marked with a high energy efficiency rating, also known as an EER or SEER, depending on the type of air conditioner we are talking about.

The most efficient models also carry and Energy Star label. It is important to choose a unit that carries such a rating because it is human nature to use the cooling system for comfort first, economy second.

Common sense tells us that if the room is hot, we are going to turn the AC up to cool it off. We might as well invest in energy efficient air conditioners that will cool the room to desired temperatures and use less power in the process.

Buying an energy efficient air conditioner for your home begins with finding one with an optimal EER rating. There are other practical considerations you must also keep in mind. It is not a simple matter of just buying a new unit that solves all of your energy challenges with superior technology.

This is only part of the equation. The remainder consists of a basic understanding of air conditioning units in general and a few common sense steps that ensure maximum performance of your new unit.

Before you buy a new unit, consider the two basic types. There is the room air conditioner, and there is the central air conditioner.

A room air conditioner cools only a single room. It is cheaper to operate because of its limited scope and smaller size. It is sufficient for a very small house or an apartment.

A central air conditioner is required to cool a home with several rooms. Because it does more work, it consumes more electricity.

Energy efficient air conditioners of both room and central unit types exist.
Central air units are energy rated by the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating system, or SEER. The Federally mandated minimum for energy efficient central units is an 8.0.

If you are buying a room unit, find on with an EER of at least 10.0. As we previously noted, some room units also carry an Energy Star Label. These are the best choices for your investment if you can afford the purchasing costs on the front end. They do pay for themselves in the form of consistently lower bills.

There is bit more to consider when buying an energy efficient air conditioning system. You have to match the size of the unit to the size of your dwelling. A central unit or even a room unit that is too large for your living space will fail to dehumidify the air.

This is why you often feel chilly, cold, and clammy in some older houses with oversized room units. The units are too big for the room and thus keep the air too moist for comfortable living.

You also need to operate your energy efficient air conditioner responsibly. The optimal thermostat setting on a central air conditioner is 78 degrees. This keeps the air dry. If you deviate from this, you spend 3 percent more money on each degree of deviation.

Combining the use of ceiling fans with a 78 degree temperature setting on your AC should keep your home comfortably cool as well as dry.

It goes without saying that proper installation, cleaning, and insulation are principles that apply just as much to energy efficient air conditioners as they do to older units. Do not expect technology to do everything for you. Install and maintain your new unit exactly as instructed by the manufacturer.

If you do these things, your unit will perform optimally, save you the maximum possible amount of money, and last as long as it is supposed to.

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Keywords: Energy, Electricity Rates, Air Conditioners, Affordable Energy, Electric Services