Now is a great time to upgrade to energy-efficient air conditioning
Q. My old central air conditioner still works, but my electric bills are high during summer. With Obama's new energy tax credit, does it make sense to switch to a new one now? What type is most efficient?
A. This is one of the best times ever to change out an old central air conditioner for a new one. As you mentioned, the new federal energy tax credit is 30 percent of the installed cost up to $1,500. Since business is slow, some major air conditioner manufacturers are offering an additional $1,300 rebate.
From a patriotic standpoint, many of the residential central air conditioners are manufactured in the United States, so buying one can help revitalize our economy. Almost all of the new super-high-efficiency models now use ozone-safe R410A refrigerant instead of old R-22.
To qualify for the $1,500 federal tax credit (this is a credit, not just a deduction), the central air conditioner must have a SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) of 16 or greater. Your old one likely has a SEER of 10 or less. It must be installed in 2009 or 2010.
The newest design and most efficient central air conditioners provide a SEER of up to 24.5. Installing one of these models would reduce your summertime heating costs by up to 60 percent. It would also dramatically improve your indoor comfort and operate significantly quieter, particularly at night.
These 24.5-SEER models use a super-efficient rotary compressor. Most other models use scroll compressors and some still use reciprocating piston compressors. What makes this rotary compressor so efficient is it uses inverter technology to provide nearly totally variable speed control and cooling output.
Two-level output compressors have been around for many years. They are very reliable and provide adequate comfort for most families. The advantage of two-level cooling is it runs at a lower cooling output level during mild weather. This allows it to run longer for better dehumidification and even indoor temperatures using less electricity. On hot afternoons, it switches to the high-output level.
The inverter technology rotary compressors take this several steps further by providing variable cooling output levels from about 25 percent to maximum cooling output. The matching thermostat is constantly sensing the air temperature and making fine adjustments to the cooling output for maximum comfort and lowest electric bills.
All of the two- and variable-output air conditioners use a variable-speed indoor blower. This not only matches the air flow with the cooling output, but it provides better control of indoor humidity levels. If you select a low humidity level for comfort, the blower slows down so most of the cooling output goes to removing moisture from the air. In addition to the quieter outdoor compressor at slow speed, the indoor blower is also much quieter.
You can write for or instantly download at dulley.com Update Bulletin No. 921, a buyer's guide of the most efficient 2009 central air conditioners listing cooling levels, output, SEER, sound level, warranty, and a payback chart. Please include $3 and a business-size self-addressed, stamped envelope.
Q. Last month, you mentioned in one of your columns that we should put gallon jugs of water around the house to increase thermal mass. How many does the typical house need and where should they be placed?
A. Increasing the thermal mass inside your house will moderate temperature changes throughout the day and night. More thermal mass is better, so use as many jugs of water as is feasible in your home.
During the summer, the location of the jugs is not important. During the winter, locate some of the jugs in the sun through windows if possible. Also put some in the room that has the furnace wall thermostat.
• Write to James Dulley at 6906 Royalgreen Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45244, or visit dulley.com.