| With the exception of mortgage or rent payments, | | | | have a low energy efficiency rating, meaning that |
| energy bills represent the most consistent tax on the | | | | older homes with original windows-and original doors, |
| average American's monthly budget, and their | | | | for that matter-often require a larger cooling system |
| consistency often leads us to accept whatever we're | | | | unit than they would if they contained newer |
| paying instead of examining how we could reduce | | | | windows and doors. |
| our annual energy costs. Solutions for more energy | | | | Another factor in determining the ideal size of your |
| efficient homes range from passive solar design to | | | | home's heating and cooling system deals with its |
| retrofitting existing HVAC systems with energy | | | | building envelope-the space between its exterior and |
| efficient components. But one area where almost | | | | interior walls. In older homes that have stone or brick |
| anyone can realize reduced energy costs is optimizing | | | | facades and interior plaster walls, insulation quality is |
| their cooling system. | | | | generally low, again necessitating a larger cooling |
| In terms of energy efficiency, the best air | | | | system. Other factors influencing ideal air conditioning |
| conditioning systems are often spoken about without | | | | capacity include direct shade and windows facing |
| regard to specific situations. For example, homes in | | | | west. |
| warm climates that use cooling systems almost year | | | | Price Versus Efficiency |
| round will likely demand a different "cost effective | | | | If after consulting with an air conditioning contractor |
| solution" than homes in colder climates that use air | | | | about the best air conditioning systems you decide |
| conditioning periodically. | | | | to implement energy efficient cooling systems |
| In any case, when consulting with an air conditioning | | | | solutions, you should expect to pay more for energy |
| contractor, you can expect to cover two criteria | | | | efficient appliances than non-energy efficient |
| that will determine the best solution for your finances | | | | appliances. In commercial HVAC consulting, a long |
| and locale: sizing for capacity and price versus | | | | term cost analysis is performed to show companies |
| efficiency. | | | | the value of implementing energy efficient cooling |
| Sizing for Capacity | | | | systems design in the face of its higher price tag, |
| One of the biggest ways that people overpay for | | | | and the same can be done for domestic air |
| energy costs is by have HVAC elements that are | | | | conditioning solutions. |
| "oversized" in relation to the living area that they | | | | In most cases, narrowing the best air conditioning |
| service with climate control. But the size of the air | | | | systems to a small range of choices involves the |
| conditioner that your home requires ultimately | | | | sizing for capacity factors mentioned above, as well |
| depends on your home's overall energy efficiency | | | | as climate consideration. But in terms long-term cost |
| rating. For example, owners of older homes may | | | | savings, implementing energy efficient windows, |
| choose to keep their homes' original windows to | | | | doors and an energy efficient building envelope in |
| preserve their homes' historical character. But | | | | tandem with a smaller capacity air conditioner is the |
| because antiquated windows were designed to let in | | | | best way to significantly reduce home energy costs. |
| light while keeping out the elements, they usually | | | | |