Energy-Related Articles

PROJECT GREEN: Energy goes up in smoke by Anne Underwood, Newsweek

Virginian-Pilot article

Sensible Home

Cool down, save money during tight times

James Dulley is a free-lance columnist in Cincinnati. Send inquiries to James Dulley, The Virginian-Pilot, 6906 Royalgreen Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45244 or visit http://www.dulley.com/.

With these crazy gasoline prices, we stay home more now and, therefore, air condition more. My old central air conditioner costs lots to operate. What type of replacement will be cheapest to run?

Fortunately, installing a new super-efficient air conditioner unit costs a lot less than a new car, and it will save money and improve your family's comfort.

There are many new super-high efficiency central air conditioners available and many use earth-friendly (ozone-safe) R410A refrigerant. Assuming your old air conditioner is of typical efficiency, installing a new one with the highest SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) of 21 will consume less than 50 percent as much electricity as your old one. Also, the newer outdoor compressor/condenser unit operates quieter than old ones.

Since you want a new central air conditioner with the lowest operating cost, have your heating/cooling contractor provide a quote on a two-stage model with a variable-speed ECM blower motor and matching thermostat. This setup can cost several thousand dollars more than the cheapest single-stage model.

If you go this route, your contractor will likely recommend you also install a new two-stage or modulating furnace at the same time. This is because the furnace and central air conditioner use the same controls, thermostat and blower motor. Even if you do not install a new furnace, you will have to install a new indoor cooling coil to attain the high efficiency.

A two-stage model operates at a low-cooling-output level 80 percent of the time.

Instantly download Update Bulletin No. 921 at at www.dulley.com. It's a buyer's guide of the most efficient 2008 central air conditioners listing stages, output, SEER, refrigerant, sound level, warranty, and a payback chart.

james dulley

BRYANT This super-efficient two-stage air conditioner uses a simple, quietscroll compressor and Earth-friendly R410A refrigerant.



Energy-Related Articles PROJECT GREEN: Energy goes up in smoke by Anne Underwood, Newsweek Virginian-Pilot article Sensible Home Cool down, save money during tight times James Dulley is a free-lance columnist in Cincinnati. Send inquiries to James Dulley, The Virginian-Pilot, 6906 Royalgreen Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45244 or visit http://www.dulley.com/. With these crazy gasoline prices, we stay home more now and, therefore, air condition more. My old central air conditioner costs lots to operate. What type of replacement will be cheapest to run? Fortunately, installing a new super-efficient air conditioner unit costs a lot less than a new car, and it will save money and improve your family's comfort. There are many new super-high efficiency central air conditioners available and many use earth-friendly (ozone-safe) R410A refrigerant. Assuming your old air conditioner is of typical efficiency, installing a new one with the highest SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) of 21 will consume less than 50 percent as much electricity as your old one. Also, the newer outdoor compressor/condenser unit operates quieter than old ones. Since you want a new central air conditioner with the lowest operating cost, have your heating/cooling contractor provide a quote on a two-stage model with a variable-speed ECM blower motor and matching thermostat. This setup can cost several thousand dollars more than the cheapest single-stage model. If you go this route, your contractor will likely recommend you also install a new two-stage or modulating furnace at the same time. This is because the furnace and central air conditioner use the same controls, thermostat and blower motor. Even if you do not install a new furnace, you will have to install a new indoor cooling coil to attain the high efficiency. A two-stage model operates at a low-cooling-output level 80 percent of the time. Instantly download Update Bulletin No. 921 at at www.dulley.com. It's a buyer's guide of the most efficient 2008 central air conditioners listing stages, output, SEER, refrigerant, sound level, warranty, and a payback chart. james dulley BRYANT This super-efficient two-stage air conditioner uses a simple, quietscroll compressor and Earth-friendly R410A refrigerant.