Upgrade Air Conditioner
Air conditioning uses a lot of energy—about 19% of all the electricity in the U.S. If you have an older air conditioner, replacing it with a newer, high-efficiency model could reduce your AC energy use and bill by 15-50%!
Your Impact
Action Steps & Tips
Introduction
Electricity costs are going up every year. If your summers are hot, the AC can add up to big energy bills. If you have an older air conditioner, upgrading to a newer, more efficient model will significantly lower your energy bills. Better yet, upgrade to a heat pump unit that provides both cooling and heating! Heat pumps are highly efficient and can significantly reduce climate and air pollution.
There are a few types of air conditioning systems—central, ductless, and window systems. If your AC is older, all of these systems can benefit from an upgrade to a more efficient model, providing you with savings of up to $300-$500 a year or more on air conditioning and up to $1,000 a year on heating if you add a heat pump depending on your current heating system.
Upgrading your air conditioner:
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Saves energy and money
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Reduces climate and air pollution
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Is a great opportunity to add a heat pump!
1Decide when to upgrade
Here are a few things to consider when deciding to upgrade. If you own your home, the best option is to get a Home Energy Checkup or talk with an HVAC contractor to get upgrade advice for your specific system and home.
If your unit is not working properly. If your AC is no longer cooling the house properly, like not cooling your space enough, cooling areas unevenly or requiring frequent repairs.
Here are a few things to consider when deciding to upgrade. If you own your home, the best option is to get a Home Energy Checkup or talk with an HVAC contractor to get upgrade advice for your specific system and home.
If your unit is not working properly. If your AC is no longer cooling the house properly, like not cooling your space enough, cooling areas unevenly or requiring frequent repairs.
If your AC is older. If your air conditioner was built before 2006, a new high efficiency model can save 30-50% on energy use. Even if it is more than 10 years old, you can save up to 20% on energy costs. Air conditioning units generally last 8-10 years for a window unit and 15-20 years for a central system.
Upfront costs and payback time. If you have an older AC unit, you can save up to $150 or more a year for window units and up to $300-$500 a year or more for a central AC system. With an average cost of $200-$400 for each new window unit and $4,000 or more for a central unit, the payback time can be 3-5 years for a window unit and 10+ years for a central system. Ask for help at the store or from your HVAC contractor to estimate your savings and payback time based on your current model, how often you use it and the efficiency of the new model you are considering.
Add a heat pump. If you are upgrading your central AC, this is the perfect time to choose a heat pump! Heat pumps are highly efficient and provide both air conditioning and heating with one system. Heat pumps can save significantly on heating costs and work well even in cold climates. Heat pumps are also an important solution to reducing climate and air pollution, as they can use clean renewable electricity for heating instead of burning natural gas or fuel oil. Learn more on the Install Electric Heat Pump Heater action!
Efficiency first. Before you upgrade your home air conditioning system, consider making additional energy efficiency upgrades. Simple actions, like insulating your attic or sealing air leaks in your home, can lower the amount of energy you need to cool your home and you may be able to purchase a smaller sized system. A smaller system saves money on equipment, installation, and operation costs.
2 Choose a new AC system and install
If you are ready to upgrade, choose a system and install!
For central systems: Hire a contractor to help you choose the right system and install. Be sure to check references and get a few quotes before you choose. Learn more about central and heat pump heating and cooling systems at Energy.gov.
Window unit: Ask at your local store for help to compare your efficiency and size of your current system with new options to decide what unit is best for your needs. Follow all instructions for install and operation to get the best use and efficiency of your new unit. Learn more about window AC units at Energy.gov.
Maintain your system: Once you have installed your new system, make sure to maintain it for maximum efficiency, energy savings, and comfort!