Which AC Is Best For Energy Saving?

Summer's heat shouldn't have to break the bank. Struggling with soaring energy bills just to keep your home cool? There's a better way! With the right energy efficient air conditioner, you can achieve ultimate comfort without sacrificing your budget. 

But with so many technical ratings and air conditioning types on the market, choosing the most energy efficient option can feel overwhelming. Don't worry, we're here to help! In this article, we'll break down everything you need to know to find the perfect energy saving aircon system for your home.

Understanding Energy Efficiency Ratings

What is EER & Why is EER Important?

EER is referring to the Energy Efficiency Ratio. EER is a measurement that tells you how efficiently an air conditioner converts electrical energy into cooling power. Put simply, it tells you how much cool air an air con unit produces for every watt of electricity it uses.

If an air conditioner has a higher EER, this signifies that it is a more energy efficient air conditioner. This means that:

• Lower energy consumption - an AC with a high EER will use less electricity to achieve the same cooling effect, resulting in significant savings on your energy bills
• Reduced environmental impact - lower energy use means less strain on power plants and a smaller carbon footprint

What is AEER & Why is AEER Important?

AEER stands for Annual Energy Efficiency Ratio. AEER is a measurement of how energy efficient an air conditioner is over an entire cooling season. Basically, AEER measures the cooling output of an air con unit over a typical year divided by the total energy that it uses.

AEER considers a wide range of outdoor temperatures that are typical for your region and simulates a more realistic idea of how the aircon will perform throughout the year and changing seasons

If an air conditioner has a higher AEER, this shows that it is a more energy efficient air conditioner. This means that:

• Energy Savings - a higher AEER directly translates to greater energy efficiency. This means lower energy bills and reduced environmental impact.
• Long term Cost Savings - while AC units with higher AEER ratings may have a higher price tag, they often lead to substantial savings over the lifespan of the system

Types Of Air Conditioners

Split System Air Conditioners Energy Efficiency

Split system air conditioners stand out with their inherent energy efficiency due to:

Zoned cooling: Split systems have separate indoor and outdoor units. This allows you to cool only the specific rooms or areas in use, saving energy compared to central systems that cool an entire home.

Inverter technology: Many modern split systems utilise inverter technology that precisely adjusts the compressor speed according to the cooling demand. This avoids the energy wasting on/off cycles of traditional ACs, leading to smoother and more efficient operation.

Minimal ductwork: Since split systems don't rely on lengthy ducts, they minimise energy losses due to leaks or poor insulation that can plague central systems.

Smaller unit size: Split system indoor units tend to be smaller, making them easier to cool effectively.

Ducted Air Conditioning Energy Efficiency

While split systems often immediately come to mind when discussing energy efficiency, ducted air conditioning systems can also offer impressive energy-saving benefits. Here's how:

Zoning Technology: Advanced ducted systems feature "zoning" capabilities. This allows you to divide your home into different zones and control the temperature or even airflow in each zone independently. You don't waste money and energy cooling rooms you aren't using.

Inverter Technology: Similar to split systems, many ducted systems incorporate inverter technology. Rather than constant on/off cycles, the compressor runs at variable speeds for improved efficiency. Think of it like keeping a smooth pace vs. constantly accelerating and stopping

Smart Controls: Smart thermostats and controls allow for precise temperature scheduling and even remote control of your ducted system. This minimises wasteful cooling or heating when you're not home or when specific rooms don't need it.

Improved Airflow: Modern ducts have better insulation and are designed to minimise airflow resistance, improving the energy efficiency of moving conditioned air through your home.

Factors to Consider When Choosing an Energy Efficient Air Conditioner

Size Of The Room

Choosing the right AC capacity for your space will mean that the air conditioning unit will operate efficiently, using only the energy that is needed to cool your space, which leads to lower power bills.

An oversized AC unit for your home will cool the space too quickly. This results in short-cycling, where the system rapidly turns on and off without reaching a steady cooling mode.  This constant on/off behaviour wastes energy and increases wear and tear, reducing the lifespan of your AC. Additionally, oversized units don't properly dehumidify the air since they cool the space so fast, leaving your home feeling damp and uncomfortable. On top of this, not only are you stuck with higher energy costs due to the inefficient operation, but you likely paid more upfront for a larger unit than was necessary.

An undersized AC unit simply won't have the power to cool your entire home effectively, particularly on those scorching hot days. In an attempt to reach the temperature you set, an undersized unit will run almost constantly, resulting in higher energy bills and putting unnecessary strain on the system. This constant strain from overwork can even cause an undersized AC to become less efficient over time, further increasing your energy costs.

Energy Efficiency Rating

When shopping for an energy efficient air conditioner, pay close attention to its Energy Efficiency Rating label. While AC units with higher energy rating often have a higher initial price tag, they offer significant long term savings on your energy bills. Governments set minimum efficiency standards, so be sure to check what the current minimums are in your state.  Investing in an air conditioner with a rating exceeding the minimums will deliver even better energy savings.

Cost

Energy efficient air conditioners often have a slightly higher upfront price tag compared to less efficient models. However, it's crucial to think of an air conditioner as an investment. The higher efficiency unit may cost more initially, but that investment will be recouped over time through significantly lower energy bills. Additionally, energy efficient models tend to have a longer lifespan due to reduced wear and tear. Be sure to factor in these long term savings when comparing the prices of different AC models.

Look into any rebates or incentives offered by your local government or energy provider which may offset some of the upfront cost of opting for an energy efficient system.

Noise Level

When choosing an energy efficient air conditioner, don't overlook noise levels. A noisy AC can disrupt your sleep, make it harder to concentrate, and diminish your overall comfort.  

Modern energy efficient models often incorporate noise reduction technology, using features like quiet compressors, insulated components, and variable speed fans. Look for noise ratings in decibels (dB), as a lower dB rating indicates a quieter unit. 

Consider where you'll install your outdoor unit and try to position it away from your bedroom window or from where your neighbours spend time outdoors. Remember, a peaceful home environment is often just as important as a cool one!

Best Air Conditioner For Energy Saving?

So, taking all of this information into consideration, let’s come back to the original question: which AC is best for energy savings? 

According to Canstar, there are a few split system air conditioners that are the most energy efficient split system air con unit to invest in:

Daikin offers a range of air conditioners that achieve the most energy efficient ratings. The Daikin 2.5kW Cora AC unit has even achieved a 6-star energy rating.

Canstar also promotes the Hisense 2.5kW V Series reverse cycle air conditioner, which has an 8.5-star energy rating!

The most super-efficient ACs are produced by Rinnai and their 2.5kW J Series boasts a 9-star energy rating when cooling!! As well as being the cheapest out of these 3 AC units!

Choosing The Most Energy Efficient Air Conditioner

With such a vast array of types, styles, brands and sizes of air conditioners on the market, it’s extremely important to make a smart investment that reduces your energy bills. 

Key points to remember are:

• Type of AC system, with split systems usually being the most efficient
• Always look at the Energy Efficiency Ratio on the energy rating label
• Size needed to cool your space without wasting energy by overworking

To ensure you invest in the most energy efficient air conditioning system for your home or business, call our friendly team at All Purpose Air Conditioning on 1300 405 295 or complete our online enquiry form. We can help advise you and answer any questions you may have.

 

Reference:
Canstar Blue - Most Energy-Efficient Air Conditioners Australia