THE IMPORTANCE OF EFFICIENCY IN AIR CONDITIONING

It is estimated that more than 60% of homes in the US have air conditioning equipment. But not all of these air conditioners are necessarily efficient. Efficiency is a factor that we have to take into account because thanks to efficient air conditioning equipment we can not only air-condition the homes in a conscious way but also save us a lot of electrical energy which becomes saving for our pockets. In the following article, we want to focus on the importance of having efficient air conditioners and different factors that determine the efficiency of an air conditioner.

What is efficiency, and how is it measured?

The energy efficiency of air conditioning and heating is the amount of energy generated per kW of energy consumption (SEER in air conditioning, SCOP in heating, standards by European Regulation 626/2011). The higher the energy generated by each kW spent, the more efficient a device is.

What is the SEER?

The SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) is the cold efficiency ratio adopted by the United States Department of Energy and has become the standard of the item. Looking for it on the label we can refine the cost on our electricity bill. The SEER comes to replace a previous specification, the EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio), which is currently considered less complete and strict than the first. In the case of heat pump air conditioners, the coefficient of performance COP (Coefficient Of Performance) was used but, as in the previous case, it will be replaced by a more precise one: the Seasonal Performance Coefficient (SCOP).

Fortunately, SEER is already specified on the labels of the devices, so it is much easier to calculate the energy efficiency level of the air conditioner. To establish this, the production of cooling energy is divided during its normal annual use by the total electrical energy input in watt-hours during the same period. The great advantage of relying on the SEER and not the EER to find out the true energy efficiency of our air conditioning, is that in the latter case the power of the device was measured at full load, that is, cooling to the maximum of its capacity, while with the SEER it is measured with partial loads (100%, 74%, 47%, 21%) that, in fact, fits more to the use we give it at home.This way it is possible to know for sure the efficiency of air conditioning based on the SEER principle

Energy label: what it is and what is its importance

When you buy some home appliance, you will have noticed that everyone has a label with different letters. This energy label serves to know their efficiency and is merely informative, and allows consumers to know the energy efficiency of their appliances and in this case, the energy efficiency of air conditioning, quickly and easily.

How is energy efficiency identified?

To identify the efficiency of air conditioning, there is a classification scale divided into colors and letters. The scale goes from the letter A green, being the most efficient, to the G in red, for less efficient appliances. Within classification A there are 3 more energy efficiency classes of air conditioning, intensifying the shades of green also: A +, A ++ and A +++. Appliances are becoming more efficient, and it is already difficult to find devices with an F or G classification, provided they are not very old. Sometimes, the classification is simplified by reducing it from A to D, the latter being for less efficient devices. It is important if you look before acquiring air conditioning on the label and in this way we can be 100% of the efficiency of the air conditioning and acquire one that is at least valued with the letter C at least.

How to know if my air conditioner is efficient?

The efficiency of the air conditioning is based mainly on its correct operation since if they operate outside the range a problem arises. Subcooling or overheating may occur that will directly influence the system and therefore, the efficiency of the air conditioning.

The role of refrigerators: what are they and what is their function?

What are refrigerators?

The term refrigerators refer to the power of the air conditioner to extract heat from a certain amount of water. For example, when it is said that an air conditioner has 10,000 refrigerators, this indicates that the appliance has the capacity to extract 10,000-kilo Calories.

Role of refrigerators in an air conditioner

Choosing the air conditioner with the number of refrigerators needed is more important than many imagine. Since, it will depend not only on the cooling power of the device but also the energy consumption, often due to ignorance and being carried away by sellers who want you to buy something larger than what is needed, you end up acquiring a more powerful device than the one which is necessary and this results in a higher energy expenditure. The amount of refrigerator also has a lot to do with the efficiency of your air conditioning unit or system.

What about the refrigerant gas in the air conditioner?

The refrigerant gas in the air conditioners is vital for their proper functioning and efficiency. For this same reason, we must always keep in mind that if the equipment does not have the sufficient amount of necessary pressure of the refrigerant gas, the operation will be affected and at the same time the efficiency that we need from the air conditioning equipment will get compromised.

Can zoning offer the efficiency I need at home?

If you have a ducted air conditioner at home, zoning plays a very important role in determining the efficiency of your air conditioning system. A zoning system allows you to obtain the temperature you want in each room, thanks to the thermostats located in each of them. In this way, you do not have to depend on a centralized system that needs more energy helping you to spend less on electricity bills.