Energy Efficient Air Conditioners

These days, it seems like everything anyone sells is energy efficient, green, or sustainable in some way. Those are the words plastered on the products we buy because without those claims, a product is virtually unsaleable in this climate (pardon the pun) of environmental zeal. This is a good thing, as Martha Stewart would say, but sometimes it’s a bad thing. The good thing is that energy efficiency can save you money and possibly the planet, if you buy into that hysteria. Even if you don’t conserving resources is simply a responsibility we all have.
The bad thing about this is we often have trouble understanding or believing the claims made in the advertising. There is help, I’m pleased to say. At www.aceee.org, you can find useful, unbiased, easy to understand information about energy matters.
Last week, I had a meeting with one of my clients and we were discussing the pros and cons of installing a higher SEER rated air conditioner. He came prepared with a printout from www.aceee.org and the decision was made to spend the extra money up front for the more efficient unit.
In future blogs, I’ll be referring to this website and commenting on their advice and whether or not I think what they say is right. Sometimes, we end up spending thousands to only save a small amount of money in energy costs. The payback is tremendously long. Other times the benefits of the expense come in the form of improved comfort and peace of mind. So look for future installments on this topic and let me know your opinions.