How To Make An Air Conditioner More Eco-Friendly

As temperatures continue to rise all across the globe, air conditioners are in more demand than ever. 

What you might not know is that air conditioners use more electricity than any other appliance inside your home. Collectively, staying cool adds up to about 10 percent of all electricity we use on planet earth. 

And that’s increasing all the time. The International Energy Agency estimates that cooling costs will more than triple by 2050. That makes it one of the most critical issues we face as we move into the future. 

That makes an air conditioner one of the least eco-friendly appliances we own. 

When air conditioners were first developed, they were relatively cheap and not very efficient. Without performance standards they were made to cool, with little regard for the environment. 

An air conditioner’s biggest problem is that they leak hydrofluorocarbon refrigerants (HFCs) into the environment. These have been proven to increase global warming at an alarming rate. 

Freon was a refrigerant used in the original production of air conditioning equipment. It used sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide, ammonia, and methyl chloride, all of which cause health hazards when leaked. Guidelines were put into place to make it safer, less toxic.  

Over the years, new versions have been released into manufacturing. R-22 was commonplace for a long time. The EPA enacted a law to phase out R-22 back in 2010, requiring R-410A to be used in newer models. This is a chlorine-free refrigerant that is more eco-friendly. 

Is it enough?

Scientists are already working on the next technology. They are in early development of a new refrigerant called R-32, a pure, single component refrigerant that is cleaner and more efficient than its counterpart. 

If you’re in the market for a new air conditioner, pay attention to energy efficiency. While R-410A equipment is commonplace today, ensure the unit you’re purchasing is sized correctly for your home, and has a high efficiency rating. 

You can use other cooling methods as well to ensure comfort no matter how hot it gets outside:

• Use ceiling fans 
• Plant trees
• Use awnings and coverings to increase shade
• Pull drapes and blinds to keep sunshine out during the day
• Increase insulation for increased efficiency 

Air conditioners are no longer optional. We need them to survive in the Colorado heat. 

But doing so doesn’t have to be depleting. You can have an eco-friendly air conditioner and stay comfortable too.

Can we help you find the right air conditioner to suit your needs?