Heating and cooling account for about 45% of an owners' energy bill. Heating and cooling systems have markedly improved in efficiency over the past two decades. New products were developed that use less energy.
Forced-air heaters offer a perfect example: 20 years ago, natural gas models were 60 percent to 70 percent efficient. Because of energy requirements in the standards, today's designs are as much as 97 percent efficient, producing more heat for much less money. So if you have older heating and cooling systems in your units, it is very likely that they are inferior in their efficiency, thus costing you money.
Most room air conditioners sit in a window where they can exhaust warm air to the outside. Window installations can be drafty. Room air conditioners can also be built into the wall for a more permanent installation. Keep in mind that, when choosing a room air conditioner, size is important. A unit that is too small will run continually without cooling the room effectively. On the other hand, if you buy a unit that's too large for the space you're cooling, it actually will be less effective than one that's the correct size. Bigger isn't necessarily better.
| To Cool This Area |
Look for this size air conditioner |
| 100 to 150 sqft. |
5,000 BTU |
| 150 to 250 sqft. |
6,000 BTU |
| 250 to 300 sqft. |
7,000 BTU |
| 300 to 350 sqft. |
8,000 BTU |
| 350 to 400 sqft. |
9,000 BTU |
| 400 to 450 sqft. |
10,000 BTU |
| 450 to 550 sqft. |
12,000 BTU |
| 550 to 700 sqft. |
14,000 BTU |
| 700 to 1,000 sqft. |
18,000 BTU |
| 1,000 to 1,400 sqft. |
24,000 BTU |
|
|
When looking for the correct size air conditioner, keep these suggestions in mind, as well:
If the room is heavily shaded, you can reduce the BTU capacity by 10%
If the room is very sunny, you should increase the BTU capacity by 10%
If more than 2 people regularly occupy the room, add 600 Btu for each additional person
If the unit is for a kitchen, increase the capacity by 4,000 Btu/Hr.
ENERGY STAR qualified room air conditioners use at least 10% less energy than conventional models. They also often include timers for better temperature control, allowing your tenants to use the minimum amount of energy they need to cool your room.
SEER 16+ AC Units
SEER 16+HVAC
When choosing an HVAC system that is SEER 16 or higher you have a lot of options. A common system is a 2 ton 70,000 BTU systems with a 95% efficiency energy star rating. The newer systems use R-410A refrigerant with high efficiency scroll compressors. As an example of the energy savings difference between a SEER 13 and a SEER 16 is the cost difference of usage. The SEER rating for an HVAC unit is based on perfect conditions. There tend to be better warranties for SEER 16 units than units with a lower SEER rating. Many manufacturers will sell the same HVAC units under different names so looking at 10 year warranty systems instead of 5 year warranty systems is a good place to start. Prices will very as will labor costs. The following link is useful when looking at SEER levels and how they can save. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seasonal_energy_efficiency_ratio
Remember, saving energy means saving you money as well as allowing you to retain the right residents for longer periods of time. Lower resident turnover means more money in your pocket!
