air-tabs

Information About Air Conditioners

Two-thirds of all homes have air conditioners, which use about 5% of all the electricity produced in the U.S. at an annual cost of more than $11 billion to homeowners. As a result, roughly 100 million tons of carbon dioxide are released into the air each year -- an average of about two tons for each home with an air conditioner. Switching to an energy efficient air conditioner to keep your home cool could reduce energy use for air conditioning by 20% to 50% annually.

Air conditioners employ the same operating principles and basic components as your home refrigerator. Refrigerators use energy (usually electricity) to transfer heat from the cool interior of the refrigerator to the relatively warm surroundings of your home; like- wise, an air conditioner uses energy to transfer heat from the interior of your home to the relatively warm outside environment.

The two most common types of air conditioners are room air conditioners and central air conditioners. A compromise between the two types of systems is provided by ductless, mini-split air conditioners. See the following for specific information relating to these air conditioners:

• Central air conditioners
• Ductless mini-split air conditioners
• Room air conditioners

To Learn More about Air Conditioners

Explore our Energy Saver 101 infographic on home cooling