How to Choose an Energy-Efficient AC: A Complete Guide

As people become more aware of their impact on the climate, eco-friendly appliances have become increasingly popular. By investing in energy-efficient air conditioners, Oregon homeowners can save money on electricity while protecting the environment. Plus, the right heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system can filter out contaminants in the air and enhance your family’s comfort.

For many homeowners, figuring out how to choose an energy-efficient air conditioner can be challenging. By using this guide and working with our team of experienced HVAC technicians, you can learn more about selecting the best cooling system for your home. Reach out to Alpha Heating & Air to find out more about our air conditioner installations.

How Energy Efficiency Metrics Work

As you research different products, you’ll likely notice terminology, like SEER2, EER, and ENERGY STAR. Although there are key differences in the SEER2 and EER rating systems, they are both used to show how efficient different cooling systems are. For the best energy efficiency, you need to find an AC that has a high EER or SEER2.

SEER2

The seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER2) is an improved version of the original SEER rating system. It essentially analyzes the amount of heat transferred using real-world conditions. To find the most efficient HVAC in Bandon, you should look for products that have a higher SEER2.

EER

The energy efficiency ratio (EER) is another figure you’ll typically see on the EnergyGuide label. Typically, the EER is made by analyzing the British Thermal Units (BTUs) per hour output and the power input. Since it was first created, EER has been updated to the new EER2 formula. This new formula is considered a more accurate method for analyzing the HVAC unit’s energy efficiency. 

Both EER and SEER2 look at how efficient an AC unit is at using electricity. The key difference is how they calculate this figure. While SEER2 looks at the efficiency over an entire cooling season, EER focuses on how efficient the unit will be at a specific, high outdoor temperature.

Air Conditioner Types and Efficiency Levels

When considering the best energy-efficient AC units in Bandon, there are a few different types you can select from. Each of these types comes in energy-efficient varieties, so the right answer depends on your home’s layout, insulation, comfort preferences, and similar requirements.

• Central Air Conditioners: Your first decision will be whether you want a central AC, heat pump, or ductless mini-splits. With a central air conditioner, there is an outdoor unit and an indoor unit set up that are connected by copper refrigerant lines. Because central air conditioners require ductwork, this option is easier if you already have existing ducts. 
• Ductless Mini-Splits: Ductless mini-splits don’t use ductwork, making them easier to install. The lack of ducts also reduces the amount of cool air lost by the system, which is one of the reasons why these units are considered one of the most energy-efficient cooling options. However, they are intended for specific zones or rooms, so a central AC or heat pump may be an easier option if you want to cool your entire home to the same temperature.
• Heat Pumps: A heat pump uses the same refrigerant technology that central ACs do. The main difference is that the refrigerant can switch directions during the winter. Rather than transferring heat out of your home, the heat pump can move outdoor heat indoors. This means heat pumps are an effective method for heating and cooling your home, making them an incredibly versatile HVAC system.

There are other cooling systems, like portable ACs and window ACs, available on the marketplace. However, these smaller units generally don’t provide the cooling intensity and energy efficiency homeowners need. Because of this, your best options for summertime cooling systems will generally be heat pumps, central ACs, or ductless mini-splits.

Choosing the Correct Air Conditioner Size

For the best performance and energy efficiency, you need to choose the correct AC size. If the AC is too small, it will have to run for extended periods of time to cool your home. Over time, this can lead to extra wear and premature repairs.

Similarly, an AC that is oversized will reach the appropriate temperature too quickly, causing it to cycle off and on more frequently. Besides causing extra wear to your AC, this can also make your rooms feel clammy because the desired temperature is reached before the AC has enough time to dehumidify the air completely.

Our team can help you determine the right HVAC in Bandon. While there are online calculators that can give you a rough idea about what you’ll need based on the square footage, there are many real-world variables that will impact your AC requirements. Your sun exposure, ceiling height, the number of windows, insulation, and the number of occupants can all impact the ideal capacity. In general, most homes require units that have a 1-ton to 5-ton capacity.

To ensure you get the right capacity, reach out to one of our HVAC technicians for a professional consultation. We can analyze your home’s size and contributing factors to determine the best AC capacity for your needs.

Important Features To Consider 

While each home is unique, there are a few features you should consider when researching the best energy-efficient AC units.

• ENERGY STAR Logos: An ENERGY STAR designation demonstrates how energy efficient HVAC units are.
• Programmable Thermostats: Getting a smart thermostat can lower your cooling costs by 8% per year. With these thermostats, you can program different temperatures for various times of day. In turn, this can help you use less energy when you are at the office or away from home.
• AC Capacity: Your AC needs to have the right capacity in order to cool your home as efficiently as possible.
• Smart Features: Look for air conditioners with smart capabilities, such as remote monitoring and usage analytics. Many of these tools help with performance optimization, which can lower your energy expenditures. Smart features can notify you when a filter needs to be changed or a repair is needed, ensuring your AC is functioning efficiently.
• Dehumidification: Bandon is fairly humid, so you may want to invest in a dehumidifier or find an AC that contains dehumidifier features. By lowering the humidity in your home, you can increase the efficiency of your AC and your family’s comfort.
• Variable-Speed Compressors: With variable-speed compressors, the cooling output can change between different levels instead of simply being on or off. Besides improving performance, this can reduce your energy costs.
• Noise Levels: The latest AC units have advanced technology that allows them to operate more quietly. As a general rule, older or larger units tend to be noisier.
• Air Purification: Wildfire smoke is an increasing health concern in the Pacific Northwest. Fortunately, there are HEPA filters, UV lights, and active carbon filtration that can reduce airborne contaminants, viruses, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air.

Installation and Maintenance Tips

After you’ve figured out how to choose an energy-efficient air conditioner, it’s important to understand the appropriate maintenance and installation tips. Professional installations protect your warranty and ensure your cooling system has the best performance level. 

To maintain a high level of performance, you need to perform routine maintenance. Depending on the manufacturer’s instructions, you should change or replace the filter every 30 to 90 days. Your cooling system should also be professionally inspected and maintained at least once a year. During this inspection, our HVAC technicians will look for signs of wear, clean the coils, and check the refrigerant levels.

Maximize Your Energy Efficiency Levels

Getting the best energy-efficient AC units is one of the most important things you can do to save money on energy costs. To maximize your savings, remember to use the following tips as well.

• Close Your Blinds: Radiant heat from the sun warms your windows and heats up the inside of your home. To save on power costs, use blinds and curtains to keep the sun out.
• Use a Programmable Thermostat: You can program a smart or programmable thermostat to have warmer temperatures when you’re not home, so you don’t spend money cooling a completely empty home.
• Switch On Your Ceiling Fans: A ceiling fan helps to move air throughout the room, decreasing the work your air conditioner has to do. Additionally, ceiling fans can save you money by improving the air circulation and making warmer temperatures feel more comfortable. This allows you to set your thermostat to a higher level without sacrificing comfort.
• Raise Your Thermostat Settings: When you increase your thermostat settings by 7°F to 10°F for just eight hours a day, it can drop your energy costs by 10%. The average home devotes 13% of its power bill to cooling costs, which is why keeping a warmer home can save a significant amount of money. Typically, the Department of Energy recommends keeping your indoor temperatures between 75°F and 78°F to maximize your energy savings.

Cost Considerations and ROI

When you calculate the return on investment (ROI), you need to consider the upfront and long-term costs. While energy-efficient air conditioners may cost a little more upfront, they cost less to run over time. Thanks to the many rebates available, there are also many ways you can lower your upfront costs as well.

On average, American households spend about $2,000 per year on energy bills, and half of this figure is due to heating or cooling costs. When you get an ENERGY STAR-certified unit, you can lower the amount of energy your HVAC unit uses by up to 23%.

In addition to lowering your energy expenditures significantly, getting an energy-efficient HVAC in Bandon can also qualify you for lucrative tax credits and rebates. Through the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit, you can get a tax credit worth up to $2,000 a year when you get an energy-efficient heat pump.

In Oregon, the Home Efficiency Rebate Program (HOMES) and the Oregon Heat Pump Purchase Program are potential rebates that can lower your installation bills. With the HOMES rebate, homeowners can get up to 50% to 100% of the cost covered. This credit starts in late 2025 and is worth up to $10,000.

The Oregon Heat Pump Purchase Program began in spring 2025, and there is still funding available for owner-occupied properties, new construction builds, and rental properties. As long as you install a qualified energy-efficient heat pump, you can get an incentive of up to $2,000.

Assessing the Environmental Impact 

Getting energy-efficient HVAC in Bandon isn’t just a smart choice for your family. It will also help you build a more sustainable world. Through the following benefits, these cooling systems can have a positive impact on the environment.

• Refrigerant Safety: R-410A is being phased out for use in new systems, and newer units are increasingly using more eco-friendly refrigerants like R-32 or R-454B. By installing an energy-efficient AC, you can switch to safer, more eco-friendly refrigerant options. 
• Reduced Demand on Power Plants: When states like Oregon set up their power grids, they use a mixture of baseline power generation as well as extra power sources for peak power consumption times. For example, Oregon uses hydroelectric power for about 38% of its baseline power generation. When people need more than this baseline amount, other power plants, like gas-powered plants, have to quickly come online to supply the difference. By switching to HVAC systems that use less energy, you can reduce the demand on power plants and limit the amount of natural gas used to produce energy in Oregon.
• Better Carbon Footprint: When you get an eco-friendly AC, it helps you use less power, reducing your carbon footprint.
• Sustainability Goals: With energy-efficient units, you can use less power, lower your carbon footprint, and avoid using more harmful refrigerant types. As a result, you can limit the harm you cause to the environment and help the United States reach its sustainability goals.

Select the Best Energy-Efficient Cooling Systems

Whether you want energy-efficient air conditioners installed or need to schedule routine maintenance, our team can help. We can analyze your cooling capacity needs and help you determine the best AC installation.

Learn more about the best energy efficient AC units by contacting our team today.