How to Choose an Energy-Efficient AC: A Complete Guide

Thanks to an increasing focus on environmental sustainability and energy conservation, better heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) units have been designed that are safer and healthier for the environment. Other than being more eco-friendly, these units can also help Grants Pass homeowners save money on their power bills. State-of-the-art air conditioners can also filter harmful contaminants out of the air and boost your family’s comfort level.

The hardest part is determining how to choose an energy-efficient air conditioner. From calculating your home’s necessary energy capacity to discussing the advantages of different brands, our team of HVAC technicians can help you choose the energy-efficient air conditioners that will work best for your home. Find out more information by giving Rogue Valley Heating, Cooling, & Electrical a call today.

Understanding Energy Efficiency Metrics

To get the best energy-efficient AC units, the first step is understanding the difference between SEER2 and EER. While these energy rating systems have slightly different parameters, they basically reflect how energy efficient each unit is. For the best results, you want to find units that have the highest EER or SEER2 ratings possible.

SEER2

Often, you’ll hear HVAC professionals talk about the seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER2). This figure is a reflection of your AC’s ability to transfer heat out of your home. While it used to be known as simply SEER, the original formula was updated to better reflect how the unit would be used in the real world. Today, the HVAC industry uses SEER2 to determine how efficient a unit is during the cooling season.

EER

The energy efficiency ratio (EER) is similar to the SEER2, but it determines energy efficiency using a slightly different metric. Instead of looking at the unit’s energy efficiency over an entire cooling season, EER calculates the air conditioner’s cooling efficiency at a specific outdoor temperature. Since the EER was first created, a new calculation, EER2, was released with a more accurate calculation method.

Different Types of Air Conditioners and Their Efficiency

Besides considering the EER or SEER2 of HVAC in Grants Pass, it’s also a good idea to look at the type of air conditioner you plan on getting. For the best energy efficiency and performance, many homeowners opt to install heat pumps, ductless mini-splits, or central air conditioners. While all of these options will cool your home, there are a few important differences between each of them.

• Central Air Conditioners: Central air conditioners use indoor and outdoor units to circulate cold air through your home. There is only one central AC system, which is why these units require ductwork to circulate the air. Although they are known for being incredibly effective at cooling homes and businesses, central ACs may be inconvenient if you don’t have existing ductwork in your house. However, you can always install new ductwork if you need to set up a central AC. 
• Heat Pumps: Heat pumps, like central air conditioners, rely on refrigerant to transfer heat from inside your home to the outdoors. Unlike central ACs, heat pumps can also transfer heat in the other direction. This means that you can warm up your home during the wintertime, making this an extremely versatile HVAC system.
• Ductless Mini-Splits: If you don’t have existing ductwork and want energy-efficient air conditioners, ductless mini-splits may be an ideal choice. These units are designed to cool a single room or zone, so they don’t need ductwork to transmit cool air. They are especially useful when you want one area to have a different temperature than other spaces, such as in a home office or a mother-in-law suite.

While you can find alternative options available at stores, like window and portable AC units, they generally aren’t the best energy-efficient AC units for your home. These devices are not suited for cooling large areas. Additionally, these units are either installed in a window or on the floor, making them cumbersome and in the way. As a result, central ACs, ductless mini-splits, and heat pumps are generally the best options.

Determining the Ideal AC Size

To achieve the best level of energy efficiency and performance, you should get an AC that’s the correct size. If you invest in an AC that is too small, it will have to remain on for extended periods of time in order to keep your home cool. Eventually, this can cause it to break down. 

Similarly, you don’t want to get an air conditioner that is too large. An oversized AC will reach the appropriate temperature too quickly and shut off. This type of on-and-off short cycling can lead to premature wear and unnecessary repairs. Additionally, oversized units can make your home feel clammy because they reach the ideal temperature before the unit has removed enough humidity from the air.

Fortunately, our team can help you determine the ideal AC capacity for your home. While there are basic calculators that can give you an idea of the capacity you will need, there are many more factors that need to be taken into consideration. For example, your insulation, ceiling height, sun exposure, and the number of windows can all impact the size you’ll need to install. 

As a general rule, most homes need an AC that has a 1-ton to 5-ton capacity. Each ton has 12,000 British Thermal Units (BTUs) per hour. When you schedule a consultation about your AC installation, one of our HVAC technicians will analyze how many BTUs you need and help you figure out the ideal AC capacity for your home.

Important Features To Think About

From the layout of your home to existing ductwork requirements, many factors go into how to choose an energy-efficient air conditioner. As you consider potential ACs for your home, think about the following factors.

• ENERGY STAR: If you want the most energy-efficient HVAC in Grants Pass, look for the ENERGY STAR logo. This logo will include the EER2 and SEER2, so you can see which devices will save you the most money on energy costs. 
• Programmable Thermostats: ENERGY STAR reports that smart thermostats can decrease heating and cooling expenses by up to 8% a year. These devices are easy to program, so you can automatically raise the temperature when you’re out so that you aren’t cooling an empty home.
• AC Capacity: For your AC to be as efficient as possible, it needs to have the right capacity.
• Smart Features: By getting smart thermostats, remote monitoring, and performance optimization, you can lower your power bill. For example, automatic notifications ensure that you change your filter on time, ensuring maximum energy efficiency. Similarly, performance optimization helps you get better temperature control.
• Humidification: Grants Pass tends to have dry summers. To ensure your family’s comfort and the efficiency of your HVAC system, you may want to invest in a whole-home humidifier.
• Variable-Speed Compressors: Variable-speed compressors can operate at different levels instead of just being on or off. This ensures better performance and energy efficiency.
• Air Purification: When considering a new AC, think about air purification options. For example, you may want UV lights, HEPA filters, or active carbon filtration.
• Noise Levels: Different ACs produce varying amounts of noise. In general, smaller or newer units tend to be quieter.

Best Practices for Installation and Maintenance

After finding the best HVAC in Grants Pass, the next step is getting it installed and maintained. To protect your warranty and ensure it operates efficiently, you need to make sure your AC is installed by a professional HVAC technician.

Similarly, you’ll need to properly maintain your AC if you want it to remain in working order. While each manufacturer has different rules, they generally recommend changing or replacing air conditioning filters every 30 to 90 days.

For more difficult maintenance activities, give us a call. When we come out for your spring maintenance tune-up, we can clean the coils, inspect for signs of wear, and check your refrigerant levels.

If you want to maximize your AC’s efficiency, you should seal your home so that air can’t leak out of any gaps or cracks. Additionally, make sure to properly insulate your walls, ceilings, and floors.

How To Achieve the Best Energy Efficiency

Besides investing in energy-efficient air conditioners, there are a few simple tips you can use to get the most out of your energy expenditures.

• Lower Your Thermostat: To lower your energy costs by up to 10%, increase the temperature on your thermostat by 7°F to 10°F for just eight hours a day. Cooling costs alone make up 13% of the average household’s power bills, so raising the temperature can have a significant impact on how much you spend each month.
• Ceiling Fans: Ceiling fans move air throughout each room, allowing your AC to work less. Because they help you feel comfortable at a higher temperature, you can also increase the setting without sacrificing your comfort.
• Set Your Thermostat: If you have a programmable thermostat, change your settings so that the temperature is higher when you aren’t at home. 
• Shut Your Blinds: When sunlight is at its peak, shut the curtains or blinds. If you live in an older home, you may want to consider getting new triple-pane windows.

Cost Considerations and ROI

Energy-efficient HVAC in Grants Pass is often the most cost-effective installation option. Even if it costs more initially, you end up saving money later on through better energy efficiency and rebates.

In the United States, the typical home spends about $2,000 per year on energy costs. Around half of this amount is spent on heating and cooling expenses. When you switch to an ENERGY STAR-certified unit, you can use 23% less energy to cool your home. This works out to an average savings of $230 per year or $2,300 over 10 years. 

Other than saving money on your utility bills, an energy-efficient unit may also come with significant rebates and credits. For instance, the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit will give you a credit worth up to $2,000 when you install an energy-efficient heat pump. 

Oregon also has two key rebates for energy-efficiency improvements. In late 2025, the Home Efficiency Rebate Program (HOMES) will give income-based rebates that cover 50% to 100% of the heat pump costs, with a maximum of $10,000 covered.

With the Oregon Heat Pump Purchase Program, owner-occupied units, rental properties, and new construction projects can get incentives for installing energy-efficient heat pumps. The maximum you can get is $2,000.

Environmental Impact

While the best energy-efficient AC units are a cost-effective choice for your family, they are also a great option for the world around you. If you care about sustainability and the environment, these units offer a few important benefits.

• Safer Refrigerants: Older refrigerants, like R-410A, cannot be used on newer ACs. In the case of R-410A, existing units can still use the refrigerant. By switching to a new model, you can ensure your home is using the safest refrigerants possible.
• Better Carbon Footprint: When you use less power, it reduces your carbon footprint. Today, 38% of Oregon’s electricity is produced by burning natural gas, so any reduction in the amount of energy you consume can make an impact.
• Reduced Demand on Power Plants: By using less energy, you can lower the overall demand on power plants. Typically, electrical grids are set up with baseline power sources, like hydroelectric power, and backup systems that can come online during periods of peak demand. Often, these peak-power electricity sources are from things like natural gas, which is worse for the environment. When you decrease your electrical consumption, it can reduce the amount of electricity needed during times of peak demand.
• Sustainability: Ultimately, using energy-efficient ACs helps to minimize the amount of power you need and can limit the environmental risks associated with refrigerants. Thanks to these benefits, your eco-friendly decisions can help to support sustainability and the environment.

Get an Energy-Efficient Cooling System

When hot summer weather rolls around, you need a high-performance AC to keep your family cool. Our team of certified HVAC technicians can help you decide which heat pump, ductless mini-split, or central AC you need. Discover more information about energy-efficient air conditioners by reaching out to our team today.