What to Look Out for in Eco Friendly Air Conditioners

Did you know that an air conditioning unit can omit 1.34lbs of carbon dioxide for every kilowatt hour used? By replacing older air conditioning units you could save several hundreds of pounds of carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere each summer season. This will not only save the environment but also save you some green as well. You can save as much as $65 using a newer air conditioning unit verses an older air conditioning unit.

When you are looking for a new air conditioning unit you will need to first look for the proper size unit for your living space. The amount of space an air conditioning unit cools is measured in BTU's. BTU's stands for British Thermal Units. When you are looking for an air conditioning unit you will first need to decide the number of BTU's that the air conditioner will need to cool your living space. You can calculate the required BTU's by multiplying the square footage of the space by 10. You will then need to add 4,000 to that number. By choosing the proper size air conditioner for the space it will allow you to conserve energy. If you choose an air conditioner too large for the area or too small for the area then you will be causing unneeded drain on your electricity.

When looking for a new air conditioner unit you will also want to shop for one with an energy star approval on it. Energy Star approval is a label given to a product by the Environmental Protection Agency. This insures that the product is 10 percent more efficient than what is required by the minimum federal standards.

You will also want to look for a unit that can dehumidify the air as well if you live in a humid climate. By using an air conditioner that dehumidifies the air you will be able to make the environment more comfortable by reducing the humidity. This will allow you to keep the air conditioner at a lower setting and still feel comfortable.

You can also be eco friendly when using your new air conditioner as well. Use your air conditioner wisely to reduce electric bills as well as reducing the CO2 emissions caused by the use of electricity. By setting your air conditioner to a lower setting making it comparable to the temperatures outdoors rather than what you want it to feel like. This will make going outdoors during the summer months more enjoyable as well. Use the fan only option on the air conditioner at night to reduce the amount of electricity you use.

Many air conditioners also come with a recirculation option. This allows the air that has already been cooled to be recirculated around your home. You should have your air conditioning unit properly installed and sealed around the area to ensure you do not have cool air leaking outside. Finally be sure to clean and check the filters on your air conditioning unit regularly. Many air conditioners only need to be cleaned every 3 months but depending on the area you live in you may need to clean it as often as every month. This will help keep your air conditioning running more efficiently as well as keep you and your family more healthy.

Keeping you home cool during the summer can be a life safer but can also be dangerous on the environment. By keeping energy cost low and using the most efficient units possible you can not only save money on energy cost but also save the environment while keeping cool. Be sure to recycle your old air conditioning units. There are even some governments that will give rebates for old air conditioning units that are turned in.This program can save you as much as $75 per unit you replace. -Stephen Haworth