Optimise your energy consumption with an energy-efficient air conditioner

The name itself suggests it, but energy-efficient air conditioners are cooling systems designed to handle energy more efficiently compared to traditional air conditioners. Typically, an energy-efficient air conditioner is equipped with a air-to-air heat pump, which provides efficient temperature control. Not only does such an air conditioner cool in an environmentally friendly manner, but the air-to-air heat pump also allows you to heat your rooms as well. It’s a win-win situation.

An energy-efficient air conditioner has many noteworthy advantages. The main ones are:

• Lower energy bill. In general, an energy-efficient air conditioner with heat pump uses only 20% of electricity to provide year-round cooling and heating (under normal use and average temperature values). This means that about 80% of the energy required comes from renewable sources. Therefore, you will feel this in your energy bill.
• Better for the planet. In addition, a durable air conditioner benefits the climate by helping to reduce CO2 emissions. With a fuel-efficient air conditioner, you contribute to a more sustainable world while saving on energy costs.
• Healthier air. Energy-efficient air conditioners are often equipped with filters or technologies that purify the air. These contribute to cleaner and healthier indoor air, which is particularly beneficial for people with allergies or respiratory issues.
• Quieter but equally effective. Finally, fuel-efficient air conditioners are generally quieter than normal air conditioning, without sacrificing effectiveness. Within minutes, your room reaches the desired temperature, whether you want to heat or cool.

Now that you know what makes an air conditioner durable and what its benefits are, you may be looking for an energy-efficient air conditioner yourself. Then, of course, it's important that you can recognize such an air conditioner. Here are our tips.

How energy-efficient an air conditioner is primarily depends on the type of air conditioner. For example, a portable air conditioner is much less efficient than a fixed air conditioner. This is because a portable air conditioner expels warm air outside through a hose, and some warm air inevitably leaks back inside. Therefore, a fixed air conditioner is much more efficient and consumes significantly less energy than a portable air conditioner.

To indicate the energy efficiency of an air conditioner, each unit is assigned a number of values. These values are as follows:

• SCOP value. The SCOP value stands for Seasonal Coefficient Of Performance or coefficient of performance. It indicates the average efficiency of air conditioners and heat pumps, calculated over an entire year. In general, the higher the SCOP value, the more efficient and economical the air conditioner.
• SEER value. The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (or SEER value) provides information about an air conditioner's cooling capacity. This value indicates how efficiently an air conditioner can cool by showing the ratio between the cooling capacity provided and the consumption of electricity. A higher SEER value means more economical use of the air conditioner.

The air conditioner manufacturer should make these values available. These values make it easy to compare the energy performance of various appliances.

In addition to the SCOP and SEER values, the energy label on the air conditioner’s packaging also provides information about its energy efficiency. This energy efficiency class gives a quick overview of how much energy electrical devices use. It shows which appliances are very efficient (with a dark green A rating) and which use more energy (with a red D or even G rating).

Each type of appliance has a different scale. For example, you cannot compare the energy class of an air conditioner with that of a computer monitor or freezer. However, we can say that an air conditioner is energy efficient from energy class A up.

Do you already have an air conditioner in your home, so you're not looking for a new energy-efficient one just yet? Or are you planning to buy a new sustainable air conditioner and want to use it as smartly as possible? Then we recommend following these tips to keep your consumption as low as possible:

• Select the right capacity. Choosing the correct capacity for your air conditioning is crucial for energy consumption. An incorrect choice can lead to unfavorable consequences for your energy costs.
• Keep your home as cool as possible. It is advisable on sunny days to block out the sun as much as possible and keep your windows and doors closed as much as possible. That way your air conditioner doesn't have to work as hard to get to your desired temperature. Do not open them again until the evening and/or early morning for ventilation.
• Make sure your home is well insulated. If your home is well insulated and you have insulating glass, it not only adds to the comfort of your home. In fact, it also helps you save energy because you are less dependent on heating and air conditioning.

Are you looking for an energy-efficient air conditioner? Get in touch now contact with AeroConsult for more information or check out our offerings on our webshop.