What Is Air Conditioner Efficiency and Why Is It Important?

Ready to boost your AC’s efficiency and save on energy bills? Call Gladiator Services at (201) 248-0952 to schedule AC repair or installation.

When New Jersey’s scorching summer rolls around, the high heat and oppressive temperatures force your air conditioner to work much harder. If your AC is working too hard to cool your home, it significantly reduces its lifespan. But what if you could increase your air conditioner efficiency?

Keep reading to learn how to reduce your AC’s workload with an efficient air conditioner and what benefits this offers from the best air conditioning repair technicians in Mahwah from Gladiator Services.

What Is Air Conditioner Efficiency?

Air conditioner efficiency measures the unit’s energy usage. AC technicians use Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) ratings to describe the efficiency of the unit by determining how much energy an air conditioner uses. The higher the SEER rating, the more energy-efficient the air conditioner.

You can find your unit’s SEER rating in the owner’s manual or printed on the control panel. Old air conditioners often have ratings lower than SEER 10. According to federal law, new air conditioners must be at least SEER 13, and energy-efficient AC units are SEER 14 or higher.

Why Is Air Conditioner Efficiency Important?

Efficient air conditioners offer several benefits over older models.

Low Power Bills

Older air conditioners work differently than newer ones. Air conditioners made 20 years ago can’t keep up with the strain of cooling a home in today’s blistering summer heat.

Older air conditioners work harder to cool homes, drawing more power. Since they work harder, these systems cost more for heating and cooling homes. Efficient air conditioners don’t work as hard, so they are cheaper.

Newer units cool homes using less energy. When you replace your old AC with a newer, more efficient unit, you’ll notice substantial energy savings, particularly in the summer.

Better Climate Control

With old air conditioners, it is tough to cool your house the way you want. That old air conditioner only has so much cooling capacity, and some rooms cool faster than others depending on the ductwork, air conditioner placement, and activity in each room.

Newer air conditioner systems are customizable. Smart thermostats pair well with new air conditioners, giving you many options to cool your home. You can customize prime cooling times by setting timers and tracking movement in your home; some thermostats even learn your habits and preferences and automatically turn off or on as needed.

Higher air conditioner efficiency, better technology, and more customization ensure more climate control options inside your home.

Quiet Cooling

Older air conditioners are very loud. They also don’t run on any setting lower than maximum speed and often rattle and run even louder as they age.

Newer, variable-speed air conditioners are some of the quietest air conditioners on the market. Unless you sit next to an air vent, you’ll probably never know it’s running.

While you may think that variable-speed air conditioners cause fluctuating temperatures, there is no temperature change in your home. These air conditioners keep you comfortable while maintaining a lower sound level inside the house.

Better Indoor Air Quality

Not many people think about it, but a good air conditioner boosts the air quality in your home. Newer air conditioners remove humidity from inside the house, which keeps the air inside your home fresh and cool. Older air conditioners have a hard time eliminating humidity and filtering out dust in the air.

Air quality is an essential consideration with new air conditioners. Manufacturers design them to filter out more toxins and pollutants from the air. Newer air conditioners also help people with severe asthma or allergies breathe better by filtering out the irritants that may trigger attacks.

With better air quality, you’ll be less likely to open doors and windows, so your home’s interior will stay bug-free and cool.

Government Rebate Rewards

Besides offering lower temperatures and lower power bills, you may be eligible for money from government programs when you install a high-efficiency AC. New Jersey offers several rebates for people who switch to energy-efficient equipment.

These rebates come in various amounts, and the extra money is always nice. For example, New Jersey offers up to $950 rebates for replacing outdated water heating equipment. Depending on the cooling system you upgrade to, you could receive anywhere from $300 to $500 in rebates from the state!

Supplementing Other High-Efficiency Equipment

Low-energy installations support other low-energy components. Installing Low-E windows, thicker insulation, and low-heat lighting supports air conditioner efficiency and vice versa. Also, installing new, efficient equipment always helps prolong the lifespan of other low-energy equipment.

If you upgrade a  furnace and air conditioner simultaneously, you’ll notice an enormous difference in your power bill. You can also improve efficiency by replacing duct insulation and registers and insulating the whole air conditioner system.

Supporting the Environment

One of the best things about efficient air conditioners is that they reduce your carbon footprint. Most homeowners report that their air conditioners make up over 50% of their power bill. That spent power wreaks havoc on the environment.

More efficient air conditioners reduce power usage and limit adverse effects on the environment. Also, older units use harmful gases and toxic refrigerants to cool homes that new units don't. Upgrading to a newer air conditioner replaces those older refrigerants with something healthier and sustainable.

Efficient HVAC Installation, Service, and Repair

The many benefits of upgrading to a high-efficiency air conditioner include lower energy costs, better home comfort, and supporting the environment.

At Gladiator Services, we promote air conditioner efficiency. When we come to service your AC, we make sure we check everything that could affect the efficiency of your unit, including HVAC superheat. Read on here to learn what superheat in HVAC is.

When you’re ready to replace your air conditioner, let us know! We offer the best air conditioner replacement and repair services in New Jersey. Call Gladiator Services at (201) 248-0952 to schedule your AC replacement.