Coming into spring, many of us are thinking about our air conditioners and wondering if they are going to survive another hot summer. However, it can be a daunting task to sort through all the information on HVAC systems-especially with all the technical industry jargon that may be unfamiliar to you.

The best way to navigate this situation is to start by asking yourself two questions about your current air conditioner:

  • How often does your AC break down or need to be repaired?
  • How high was your utility bill during the hot, summer months last year?

If these numbers are both high, then you could be looking at huge savings by installing a new air conditioner.

You may be asking how is spending money on a newer model air conditioner going to save me money, I am spending money on it. The simple answer is that the new air conditioning systems are more energy-efficient than the old ones. Air conditioners are evaluated and rated on their energy usage with what is called a SEER rating (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio): the higher the SEER number, the more efficient the air conditioner is at cooling your home which will save you money on your energy bills for years.

The current requirement for all ground unit air conditioners in the United States must have a minimum SEER of 14. This is just the minimum requirement and a SEER rating of 16 or above is considered high efficiency. The SEER rating for your unit is located on the Energy Guide sticker on your air conditioning unit. Older air conditioners commonly have a SEER in the single digits.

High-efficiency systems are definitely worth considering when replacing your air conditioner.

A few of the benefits include:

  • 1. Lower Utility Bills
    High-efficiency systems with higher SEER ratings use less energy, which translates to less money spent on energy bills. In fact, switching from an old 8 SEER unit to a 16 SEER unit can save you up to 50% on your energy bill. Bottom line: higher efficiency = lower bills.
  • 2. Incentives/Rebates
    Many government incentives and/or manufacturer rebates are offered for buying a high-efficiency AC unit. By taking advantage of such offers and incentives, getting a high-efficiency system could end up costing about the same as a standard AC unit. Contact us today to learn about these incentives and rebates.
  • 3. Cooldown Quicker
    Newer AC units are not only more efficient, but they also cool quicker too. Air conditioners work by cooling your home’s air until its temperature matches the desired thermostat setting. New AC units reach their desired cooling temperature much faster than older units. Therefore, you get to enjoy cool air quicker than before and your AC unit ends up running less per cycle.
  • 4. Environmentally Conscience
    Because a high-efficiency system uses less energy, it emits fewer greenhouse gasses. Less electricity also means fewer fossil fuels are being used, making the switch to a high-efficiency air conditioner is good for the environment as well as your wallet.

Go take a look at your old unit and if you feel you might be ready for a new high-efficiency one, contact Magic Electric, Plumbing, Heating + Air to have our Comfort Advisor do a complimentary system analysis. You may be amazed how much a new AC system will benefit your family. You deserve to have a cool comfortable home all summer long!

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