Heating and cooling account for about half of a typical household’s energy costs. If the relentless summer heat and time have taken a toll on your air conditioning, it may be time for a replacement.
You can lower your monthly energy expense for heating and cooling by upgrading to a more efficient system when your current unit ages out. Expect an AC system to last, on average, 10–12 years. Anything beyond that is a gift. If you have a 30-year-old system, it’s definitely time to invest in a new one.
Air-source heat pumps, which draw heat from the air and move it indoors or outdoors as needed, provide efficient heating and cooling from a single unit. Traditionally more popular in milder climates, the older models relied on inefficient backup heating, such as heat strips, when outside temperatures dropped below 40 degrees. However, many modern heat pumps are designed to be efficient heat sources down to 5 degrees.
Mini-split heat pumps—highly efficient ductless systems that can be placed where needed in a home—are growing in popularity. They work well for add-on rooms that aren’t connected to existing ductwork or for rooms that stay hotter or colder than the rest of the house.
Multi-zone mini-split systems allow rooms to be set at their own comfort levels. The room becomes its own home with its own thermostat—and because there are no ducts, there’s no energy lost through leaky ductwork.
Ground-source or geothermal heat pumps are the most efficient, albeit more expensive, option. Drawing heat from stable ground temperatures rather than fluctuating air temperatures, geothermal heat pumps use 25%–50% less electricity than conventional AC systems.
Geothermal is the gold standard for peak efficiency in heating and cooling and work best where the property can accommodate an extensive vertical or horizontal underground loop system.
For any heating and cooling system, proper installation is essential to reap the full benefits of energy-efficient performance. A certified HVAC contractor will do a load calculation to determine what size HVAC unit is right for your house and whether any special adjustments are necessary for your location.
Upgrading to Energy Star-certified heating and cooling equipment can deliver annual energy bill savings of 10%–50%, so if it’s time to retire your current system, do your homework to maximize your savings.