Portable Air Conditioner Help (PortableACHelp.com) is dedicated to providing consumers with up to date detailed information on the usefulness, effectiveness, and benefits of portable air conditioners and mini-split air conditioners. 

Tips for Purchasing An Energy Efficient HVAC System

If your heating, ventilation and air conditioner (HVAC) system is old or failing, you need to consider your options for replacing your existing equipment. Poorly maintained or improperly functioning heating and air conditioner equipment can cause your system to use more energy than necessary, causing your bills to rise.

In order to find an HVAC, or air conditioner system that fits your short term needs and your long term budget, consider the following criteria prior to purchase.

  • Energy Efficient Rating – Otherwise known as an EER, this rating is actual a ratio based on British Thermal Units (BTU) per watt-hour. In general, appliances with higher ratings are more energy efficient. This means that, with a high EER, the appliance provides more power per watt of energy input. EER ratings not only let you know how much energy an appliance or air conditioner will consume, it also lets you know approximately how much energy it saves and, therefore, how much money you can save on your electric bill.
     
  • Type of air conditioner unit – If you live in a warmer climate, you'll undoubtedly need a more powerful air conditioner. However, in a cooler climate, you might consider purchasing an HVAC unit that adequately maintains the temperature of your home without the power to turn your house into a freezer. Furthermore, consider your personal comfort levels and the power required to maintain those temperatures within your home. If you like warmer temperatures, you may be able to purchase a smaller, effective, but less expensive air conditioner model. This is also dependant up on the size and space of your home.
     
  • Weighing costs and benefits – When looking into purchasing new HVAC systems, consider the age and insulation of your home. If your home is older and drafty, a new HVAC system, even an energy-efficient model, will still need more power to properly cool your home. In these cases you may want to look into purchasing a smaller portable air conditioner that cools individual rooms instead of the entire home. These smaller air conditioner units may cut down on the amount of air lost through poor ventilation. Otherwise, consider addressing the insulation in your home prior to purchasing a new HVAC unit.
     
  • Size – If you decide to go with smaller, portable air conditioners, consider the size of the room and the size of the air conditioner required. Larger rooms need larger, stronger air conditioner units and you'll need space to accommodate the unit. Also consider storage in winter months. Large, heavy units take a lot of energy to carry and a lot of space to store if you plan on removing them from the room in cooler weather. Very large units often require professional installation which increases the cost of purchase and the cost of maintaining the unit.

Be sure to examine your individual needs prior to purchasing a new, energy efficient HVAC system or air conditioner. Take into consideration your location, the size and age of your home, your existing HVAC system, and your own personal temperature requirements. Energy efficient models are made to conserve energy and save you money in the long run, but they can only achieve this purpose if their paired with the right owner. In general, if you've waited until your old HVAC unit has expired, it has probably cost you less per year than replacing it too early. Be sure to look at the EER ratings of your new unit in order to find the best HVAC or air conditioning system for your individual needs.

Resource Article: http://www.helium.com/tm/428948/energy-efficient-conditioner-blitz