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Are you in the market for a new air conditioner? Have you been considering a room air conditioner instead of a central air conditioner but aren't sure what you should be looking for? Purchasing an air conditioner of any type should be researched before hand simply due to the amount of electricity your air conditioner could potentially use. If you purchase the wrong unit you may end up with extremely large monthly electric bills and inefficient cooling.

As a consumer you definitely want to find the best performing unit for you. You want to find a unit which is very energy efficient because not only will it save you money in the long run, it's better for the environment as well. Energy efficiency is about making the best or most efficient use of energy in order to achieve a given level of comfort and convenience.

What is a Room Air Conditioner?

A room air conditioner is an air conditioning system designed to cool a room or rooms instead of the entire house. Do you live in a smaller home, townhouse, condo or even apartment? Would you prefer or do you require a non-permaneant air conditioning installation? If you answered yes then a room air conditioner may be a good matched for you. In comparison to central air conditioners, room air conditioners are dramatically less expensive to operate - even though they are often less efficient.

While central air conditioners often need higher voltage connections a room air conditioner can often be plugged into any 15- or 20-amp, 115-volt household circuit. If you have a larger room air conditioner you may need a dedicated 115 volt-circuit. In only the most extreme cases will you ever need a dedicated 230-volt circuit.

Room air conditioners are often vented or window mounted so they can effectively expel hot air out. Be wary of any room air conditioner that does not offer proper ventilation.

How are Room Air Conditioners Rated?

If you are familiar with central air conditioners you may be already familiar with the SEER or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. Room air conditioners are rated not on in SEER but rather in EER or Energy Efficiency Ratio. The EER of a given room air conditioner is calculated by dividing the cooling capacity in British Thermal Units (BTU) per hour by the power input in watts. You can find room air conditioners offering a range of cooling powers from 5,500 BTU per hour to 14,000 BTU per hour.

While the national appliance standard requires that any room air conditioner built after 1990 to have an EER of 8.0 or greater, and the latest Energy Star standards require in some cases an EER of 10.7 or greater I support the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy's (ACEEE) recommendations. The ACEEE recommends at least an EER of 11.6. Why? This will guarantee your unit is energy efficient throughout the year and when it is needed most - the hottest summer months.

Selecting a Room Air Conditioner

Once you've decided to purchase a room air conditioner make sure you look for the Energy Star label. If every room air conditioner sold in the U.S. were Energy Star qualified, we could prevent 1.2 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions to put that into perspective that is equivalent to the emissions from 100,000 cars. Energy Star room air conditioners use at least 10% less energy than conventional models.

In the room air conditioner game Energy Star isn't the only certification to be looking for. You should also look for Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers or AHAM Certified units. Why? AHAM Certified room air conditioners have their EER ratings verified by an independent laboratory.

Getting the Right Size

Room air conditioners like all air conditioning units are rated by the number of British Thermal Units (BTU) of heat they can remove per hour. Another common way of rating air conditioners is by the "ton," some example are 5,500 BTU per hour or 14,000 BTU per hour.

Getting the right size room air conditioner for your application is crucial. If you get the wrong size you can easily waste large volumes of electricity. The size of your air conditioner depends upon:

• How large is your home and how many do you have?
• How much shade do you have? Do you have shade on your home's windows, walls, and roof?
• Are the ceilings and walls of your home insulated properly?
• Do you have air leaks?
• How much heat do you, the occupants, and appliances generate?

Remember the key to any air conditioners efficiency and performance depend on you properly matching the size of the AC unit to your specific application.

If you find this a bit confusing then you can always use the free AHAM tool. AHAM offers a handy online tool which can help you calculate your air conditioner (or evaporative cooler) needs.

• http://www.cooloff.org/sub_cool.html

Installing your Room Air Conditioner

When you install a new room air conditioner you should try to locate the air conditioner in a window or wall area near the center of the room. It is also beneficial to install your air conditioner on the shadiest side of your house. Try not to let your installation increase air leakage - you can minimize this by fitting the either the room air conditioner or its ventilation snugly into its opening and sealing gaps with a foam weather stripping material.

Are Room Air Conditioners my only non-permeneant cooling option?

If you live in a drier climate, somewhere with a relatively humidity level below 50%, then you may be well matched for an "Evaporative Cooler" sometimes referred to as a "Swamp Cooler." An evaporative cooler cools by using a fan to force air through moistened pads. As the hot air passes through the pads, the pads absorb the heat and cool the air in some cases as much as 15-20 degrees.

Evaporative coolers are not for everyone. In the wrong climate, in the wrong conditions an evaporative cooler can create conditions of high humidity in the air which in turn can cause condensation and even corrosion.

In the right conditions and climate, evaporative coolers, can provide cost very effective cooling. When compared to air conditioners, evaporative coolers use an average of 75% less electricity. Evaporative coolers are very energy efficient.

If you think you are a good candidate for an evaporate cooler you can use the free AHAM tool referenced earlier to calculate the proper size for your specific application too.

In many parts of the world air conditioning can seem like a life saver, but it comes at a cost - first in dollars spent for electricity, and second in carbon dioxide pollution from the generation of electricity. According to the the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) we create an astounding 140 million tons of CO2 cooling our homes. You can easily save electricity by purchasing a correctly sized Energy Star rated room air conditioner. By saving electricity you are doing your part to fight global climate change.

Labels: ac, air conditioner, air conditioning, article, diy, electricity, energy, energy efficiency, hvac, renovation

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Did you know that 14% of the energy produced in the United States is used to air condition buildings and 10% of the energy produced is used to air condition homes? What is the total cost to consumers? Over 15 billion dollars a year. To put that into perspective the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) equates that to an astounding 140 million tons of CO2.

Energy efficiency refers to the reduction of energy used by specific end-use devices and systems, such as air conditioners, typically without affecting the quality of the services provided. Energy efficiency can be achieved many ways. In the case of your air conditioning one simple way to achieve this efficiency is by reducing your air conditioning needs.

Reducing Your Air Conditioning Needs

Depending upon where you live you may feel very dependent on your air conditioner. You may even be thinking about upgrading to a newer air conditioner with higher improved SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) but before you do consider the following - the easiest way to save money and energy on cooling is to reduce your air conditioning needs in the first place.

While some of my solutions may seem initially costly - in the long run you will enjoy a monthly energy savings, in some cases you may appreciate the value of your home, and you will always feel good knowing that you are doing your part to fight global warming.

Strategies for Reducing Your Air Conditioning Needs

• Invest in alternate forms of in-house cooling such as ceiling fans or house fans. Unless you live in a very humid climate than ceiling fans, which can provide cooling by creating a low- level "wind chill" effect, are a good and relatively inexpensive choice. Ceiling fans are also rated by Energy Star so it's easy to find energy efficient models. House fans are usually large fans in your top-floor ceiling. They cool by expelling hot air out and in-turn creating a vacuum that sucks cooler air in. Unfortunately house fans are not covered by Energy Star. In either case fan use substantially less energy then air conditioning systems and can go a long way in reducing your dependence on your air conditioner.
• Replace older single pane windows with newer more energy efficient double pane or even triple pane windows. More energy efficiency windows can reduce your air conditioning needs but depending upon the number of windows involved it may get expensive. If expense becomes a concern you can always opt to use drapes or window coverings that block out the sunlight effectively. While drapes and window coverings will help, for the best results when justified, I recommend replacing the framing and glass. In some cases replacing your windows can improve their energy efficiency by up to 41% in the summer - when your air conditioning is used most.
• Consider shade gardening. If replacing your windows is expensive but you have room for gardening consider planting shade trees on the sunny side of your home. The less direct sunlight that gets into your house, the less heat. Shade trees also have the added benefits of reducing local area CO2 pollution. You can expect a full grown shade tree to gradually remove about 10 lbs of CO2 a year, native trees are always good choice because they are easier to maintain.
• Replace non-programmable thermostats with programmable versions. You can save as much as 10% a year on your cooling bills by using a programmable thermostat to adjust the temperature automatically while you regularly sleeping or out of the house. When you shop for a programmable thermostat, be sure to look for the Energy Star versions.
• Install energy efficient roofing. Energy Star offers a number of different Reflective Roof Products that can reduce your peak air conditioning demand by as much as 10-15%.
• Use light-colored or "cool" sidings or paints with a high Light Reflective Value (LRV). Most major paint manufacturers can tell you the LRV of any color paint chip. The higher the LRV the more the paint will reflect away heat instead of absorbing it. Keeping your house cooler by reflecting away heat will reduce your air conditioning needs.
• Replace your older/inefficient appliances such as old or secondary refrigerator or, replace incandescent light bulbs with LEDs. The less heat your appliances and inefficient lighting give off the less your air conditioner will have to compensate.
• Unplug large consumer electronics when you aren't using them. Lots of newer electronics have a "sleep mode" that keeps them ready for action. This "sleep mode" uses electricity and because the device is running at some level it will still be creating heat. When not in use,don't forget to unplug chargers for your smaller devices, too
• Properly insulate your home. If you have a home that isn't properly insulated you can waste a lot of electricity when the cool air created by your air conditioner escapes. Why? Your air conditioner will simply keep working harder to maintain a stable temperature regardless of continuous air leaks. The harder your air conditioner works the more electricity is uses and the more expensive it becomes. If your home has an attic it is very common for air leaks to occur between your living space and the attic space.

An easy way to save money on air conditioning which is often overlooked is through the simple reduction of its use. While enjoying the cool benefits of air conditioning it is easy to overlook its expensive nature, due to the electricity required one has to also consider it's environmental cost. While being green isn't always easy, in this case, being green will save you money - by reducing your energy usage.

Labels: ac, air conditioner, air conditioning, article, diy, electricity, energy, energy efficiency, hvac, renovation

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While carbon offsets might be based on the concept of emissions trading it is, currently, an unregulated field. While emissions trading is regulated by a strict formal and legal framework, carbon offsets are generally arranged by commercial or not-for-profit carbon-offset providers. Until strict formal standards and certifications are set for carbon offsetting I'm forced to look at other options.

What are Carbon Offsets?

Carbon offsetting is the act of mitigating (or "offsetting") greenhouse gas emissions or carbon dioxide emissions. A common example of carbon offsetting or the use of carbon offsets is the purchase of "carbon offsets" in an attempt to compensate for the carbon dioxide production caused by personal air travel.

The underlying idea based on the concept of emissions trading. Someone who over pollutes pays someone who under pollutes to compensate. While emissions trading is regulated by a strict formal and legal framework, carbon offsets are generally arranged by commercial or not-for-profit carbon-offset providers. It is only today that formal standards and certifications for voluntary carbon offsets are starting to emerge.

Carbon offsets come in a variety of forms and flavors - while tree planting was initially a mainstay of carbon offsetting, renewable energy, energy conservation and methane capture offsets have become popular.

What is Energy Efficiency?

Making homes, vehicles, and businesses more energy efficient has been a largely untapped solution to global warming and energy security. While many of these ideas have been discussed for years it wasn't until the 1973 oil crisis that these ideas were brought to the forefront.

California is a perfect example of energy efficiency and it's benefit. In the mid-1980s California modified its building codes and appliance standards. The modifications included strict efficiency requirements. The result - while national US energy consumption doubled, California energy consumption remained approximately flat on a per capita basis.

How Can You Inexpensively Apply Energy Efficiency To Reduce Your Carbon Footprint?

The key to inexpensively applying energy efficiency in your own home is identifying the products and services that offer you a fast return on your investment and then future forward you'll reap the benefits of a reduced carbon footprint.

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CFLs or compact fluorescent lamps use less power to supply the same amount of light as an incandescent lamp of the same lumen rating thus they can be used to decrease energy consumption at the location in which they are used. CFLs are however more expensive then more traditional incandescent bulbs. In the long run however a CFL will save your about $30 or more in electricity costs over each bulb's lifetime according to the EPA Energy Star specifications.

Looking for more bang for your buck? Try to focus on the areas where you utilize the most electricity. While you can get a 75% reduction in electricity usage using a CFL vs. and incadescent that only nets you an average $30 savings over the course of a year. Areas such as air conditioning, when optimized with energy efficiency, can provide much more signifigant savings.

If you don't think your air conditioning is a major portion of your monthly electric bill, then think again. According to the Con Edison Energy Company of New York if you keep your thermostat at an average temperature of 78 degrees then your air conditioning only accounts for about 56% of your total electric bill. If you are like me and keep your thermostat a bit cooler at an average temperature of 72 degrees then your air conditioning can account for up to an astounding 95% of your total monthly electric bill.

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How can you improve the energy efficiency of your air conditioning system? It's easier than you might think. Maintaining your AC properly over its lifetime will go a long way to reduce AC expenses. It's also important to make sure your AC air filters are always clean, replace or clean as needed. You can also only use inexpensive, third party energy efficiency add-on products like the Cool-N-Save(tm) Air Conditioning Pre-Cooling System. The Cool-N-Save(tm), recognized as an Energy Star Partner, uses the principles of energy efficiency to reduce your AC electric usage by up to 30% each month. Unlike the CFLs which only offer you a small net ROI, in most states the Cool-N-Save(tm) is paid for by your first month's savings. Energy efficiency is amazing isn't it.

Labels: ac, air conditioner, air conditioner efficiency, article, earth friendly, go green, green, hvac, save money

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Many people don't realize that their cooling system is one of the biggest energy guzzlers in their home (second only to their heating system, depending on where their live). If you have an old air conditioning system with a SEER rating of less than 8, it may be worthwhile to consider replacing it with a more energy efficient system. Generally speaking you should be able to recoup the cost in just a few years.

What exactly is SEER? SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio and is a measure of the cooling efficiency of your air conditioner or heat pump. The higher the SEER number, the more efficient the system is at converting electricity into cooling power.

Matching your AC unit size to your needs is important, too. An air conditioning unit that is too big for the room will work harder and cost you more.

It's also important to remember that because your AC unit can be such an energy guzzler reducing your AC bill helps more than just you and your checking account - it also helps the environment. When the average US household uses 9,000 killowatt hours a year any reduction in power usage helps the environment. Consider this - generating 9,000 killowatt hours of electricity generates as much pollution as driving 13,392 miles in a car.

Here are some more fast, free and easy ways to lower your air conditioning bill.

• Close drapes on the sunny side of your house.
• Close off rooms that you aren't using and the cooling ducts to those rooms.
• Turn off lights when not in use - because lights produce heat they make your air conditioning system work harder (and cost more).
• Turn off your computer and other home office equipment - because they generate heat as well.

If you can afford to invest a little money into your AC existing system you have a few more options. You can:

• Install a programmable thermostat (preferably one that offers zone control)
• Check and replace your filters regularly, a dirty filter can actually cost be costing you money each month.
• Install aftermarket energy saving devices such as a Cool-N-Save(tm)

Remember because your AC unit has the potential to draw so much electricity by maintaining and optimizing your current system you can reap substantial financial benefits.

Sam Greyhawk is an energy efficiency evangelist working with Cool-N-Save(tm), an Energy Star Partner, in Huntington Beach, California. The Cool-N-Save(tm) can save you up to 30% each month on your AC electric bill by improving air conditioner efficiency.

Article Source: Sam Greyhawk

Labels: ac, air conditioner, air conditioner efficiency, article, earth, energy efficiency, green, hvac

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While it is a term commonly used by contractors and home improvement hobbyist, not everyone knows what the acronym HVAC stands for. HVAC is an acronym that stands for "heating, ventilating, and air conditioning." (Yes - it is also an acronym for "high-voltage alternating current" but that is for another article.)

Sometimes referred to as "climate control," an HVAC system is integral in office buildings and commercial buildings. HVAC systems are extremely common in US homes and that trend is only rising. Depending upon where you live in the US you may "not be able to live without" your AC.

So what does an HVAC system do? An HVAC system is designed with the two following major goals:

• Providing and maintaining "thermal comfort"
• Maintaining acceptable indoor air quality

These goals are often compromised relative to the underlying manufacturer goal of maintaining reasonable installation, operation, and maintenance costs.

Many people don't realize that depending where they live either their cooling system or their heating system (both parts of their HVAC) will be the biggest energy guzzler in their homes. To reduce to energy use and thus operational expense of either device energy efficiency is the key. Many recent technological advances have allowed to improve the efficiency of HVAC systems.

Energy Efficiency and Heating

Thanks to technologies like water heating, geothermal heating and zoned heating - heating systems are in general becoming much more energy efficient. In some cases today's forced air systems can even double for air conditioning systems.

Energy Efficiency and Cooling

Thanks to SEER it's now becoming easier and easier to purchase efficient cooling systems as well. In the USA it's rare to see systems rated below SEER 9 because of the benefits of energy efficiency. Major energy savings can be obtained from more energy efficient systems. Here is an example:

• Upgrading from SEER 9 to SEER 13, the power consumption is reduced by 30% (equal to 1 - 9/13). It is claimed that this can result in energy savings valued at up to US $300/year depending on the usage rate and the cost of electricity.

Replacing an existing HVAC system can be a very costly proposition. So many companies are now working on technologies to improve the efficiency of existing HVAC systems.

An example of this type of add-on technology is: Cool-N-Save(tm). The Cool-N-Save(tm) is an "Air Conditioner Pre-Cooling System" that works in concert with your existing HVAC system. The Cool-N-Save(tm) system uses purified water vapor to create a "chill zone" surrounding your AC unit. This "chill zone" can reduce the ambient temperature by as much as 30 degrees. By reducing the ambient temperature around your air conditioner, the Cool-N-Save(tm) device reduces the power your AC unit draws. This in turn reduces your monthly electric bill.

The Cool-N-Save(tm) gives consumers a simple and cost effective alternative to replacing your entire HVAC or AC system. According to an independent study performed by Tulane University the Cool-N-Save(tm) system can improve the efficiency of your AC by up to 30%.

As more and more companies focus on ways to improve efficiency in existing technologies more and more devices like Cool-N-Save(tm) will become available and affordable for the average consumer.

Labels: ac, air conditioner, air conditioner efficiency, article, diy, earth friendly, go green, green, hvac, inexpensive, save money

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Did you know? During the hottest months, your AC can account for up to 90% of your total monthly electric bill. When 1/7th of the energy produced in the United States is used to air condition buildings its important to understand how they work and their impact on the environment.

The typical air conditioning system consists of evaporator coils, a fan inside, a compressor, compressor coils and a fan outside. The unit cools by using the refrigerant (usually Freon) to transport the heat from inside the space to the outside air. The heat is expelled into the outside air by the action of the fan pulling air over the coils and the heat contained in the Freon is transferred to the air.

The problem with the AC system is that in extreme heat, many conventional air conditioners are unable to effectively transfer their stored heat into the surrounding air. They are forced to work harder and longer to cool the air in your home, shortening their life and producing unreasonably high electric bills.

This problem can be further compounded if the AC system is incorrectly sized for the application. Contractors often install oversized AC units in order to avoid complaints, allow for future expansion, enable quicker cooling down of homes, and to allow for lower cooling set points by homeowners.

Thanks to SEER, identifying the efficiency of your AC unit has become very easy. SEER is the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. This measures the cooling efficiency of your air conditioner or heat pump. The higher the SEER number, the more efficient the system is at converting electricity into cooling power.

If you are like many people, and you have an older, less efficient model such as one with a SEER rating lower than 8 then it may be time to start shopping for a new AC unit. When purchasing a new AC unit make sure to purchase the highest SEER rating you can afford. Furthermore, make sure the unit you purchase is Energy Star rated too.

If purchasing a new AC unit is a bit cost prohibitive then consider improving the efficiency of your existing AC unit with Cool-N-Save(tm). The Cool-N-Save(tm) has been proven by Tulane University to improve the efficiency of your AC unit - in some cases up to 30%. This improvement in efficiency translates into real savings each month.

Sam Greyhawk is an energy efficiency evangelist who works for Cool-N-Save(tm) in Huntington Beach, California.

Article Source: Sam Greyhawk

Labels: ac, air conditioner, air conditioner efficiency, article, earth, energy efficiency, green, hvac

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