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PAGE 6 MAY 2012 LET’S SAVE ENERGY TOGETHER


Stay cool. Save money. It pays to shop carefully for a room a/c


BY JOHN DRAKE 


about adding a room air conditioner. I know that may seem like an easy-to-install, low-cost way to add comfort, but it’s easy to waste energy and money in the process if you’re not careful.


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A room air conditioner is an encased assembly—a self-contained box, basically—designed to be mounted in a window, through a wall, or as a console. These units deliver conditioned air to an enclosed space or zone.


Costing between $100 and $1,000, room air conditioners can be purchased at home improvement centers, big box retailers—even yard sales and flea markets. They tend to last a long time with minimal maintenance, so selecting the right model can save significant amounts of energy.


Room air conditioners rated by ENERGY STAR, a program run by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy, deliver the same or better performance and use 10 percent less energy on average than comparable models. An energy efficiency ratio (EER)—the ratio of the cooling capacity in British thermal units (Btu) per hour to the power input (in watts)—measures each unit’s efficiency. The higher the EER, the more efficient the air conditioner will be. National appliance standards require room air conditioners built after January 1, 1990, to have a minimum EER of 8.0 or greater.


ENERGY STAR–qualified appliances boast advanced compressors, drawing more heat efficiently from the air. In addition, the high- efficiency motors in these devices use less energy to circulate air and run more quietly. However, they do cost slightly more.


Nationally, an average consumer saves approximately 76 kilowatt- hours per year—about $8—with an ENERGY STAR-rated room air conditioner. But those of us who live in hot and humid states could save up to $30 annually. So, over the life of the appliance a consumer could save between $50 and $250, depending on the model and climate.


Be sure to look for room air conditioners with timers and programmable thermostats. These features offer better temperature control, allowing users to cool spaces according to their preferences. For example, you can set the unit to turn on 20 minutes before bedtime to make your bedroom comfortable.


Installing a room air conditioner is typically an easy job. Most can be fit into a window in a matter of minutes. Another option is to create a custom opening in a wall.


Large-capacity units often require a dedicated electric circuit or may have specific wiring and breaker requirements. They may need to be


ooling a home on hot, humid days is an energy-intensive process. For most co-op members staying cool during our Oklahoma summers generally becomes the largest energy expense. To stay comfortable, some of you may be thinking


Before you buy


Before buying a room air conditioner, make some easy and inexpensive energy-saving improvements in your home. Any of these will maximize the cooling power of your air conditioner.


 Caulk and weather strip around doors and windows  Add insulation to attics and exposed walls  Move furniture or obstacles away from room air conditioners Close blinds or curtains during the day





Look for ENERGY STAR labels on room air conditioners, such as this Kenmore 70051 unit.


installed by a professional.


Room air conditioners come in a variety of sizes. Many people buy the largest one they can afford, assuming more power is better. While that may be with some things, it’s not necessarily the case with an air conditioner. A unit that is too large will cool a room too quickly to properly remove the humidity. That will leave the space feeling cool but also wet and clammy.


Most room air conditioner purchases are “impulse buys”— bought during hot weather by consumers who have done little research. Most retail displays don’t promote the benefits of ENERGY STAR models. Make sure you buy a unit from a knowledgeable retailer who will help you select the right size equipment for your room.


If you’re replacing an existing unit with a more efficient model, don’t immediately throw the old one away. Air conditioners contain a refrigerant that should be removed by a trained technician first. Contact a local solid waste organization or recycling center for information on how to properly dispose of old air conditioners.


I wish I could say that air conditioning won’t raise your monthly electric bill but it will. But what type you choose, climate, and length of use will determine the full impact. Make smart energy choices and you’ll be happier, cooler, and perhaps even save a few bucks this summer.


If you’d like to speak with a CEC energy use specialist about finding ways to save energy, please call John Drake or Mark Zachry at 800-780-6486, ext. 233. Remember, CEC offers FREE energy audits for co-op members.


CEC


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