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Central Air Conditioners
- Lowest running costs, but higher initial price High-efficiency 16 to 23 SEER central air conditioner *Est. $3500
- Balance between ongoing energy costs and initial price Mid-range efficiency AC, 14.5 to 17 SEER *Est. $3000
- Best for low-use, for rental units or for tight budgets Minimum-efficiency central AC unit *Est. $2500
- Option for those without existing ductwork Mini-split ductless air conditioning system *Est. $1000
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High-efficiency 16 to 23 SEER central air conditioner
Lowest running costs, but higher initial price
- Lowest monthly costs
- Less on/off cycling
- High initial investment
- May require extensive ductwork modifications
High-efficiency air conditioners cost more up front than mid-range or minimum-efficiency units (which start at *est. $2,500 to $3,000), but will result in the lowest monthly energy bills and often include additional energy-saving features. Experts say these 16 to 23 SEER (seasonal energy efficiency rating) air conditioners make sense if you want to make a long-term investment, live in an area with high electricity rates or long air-conditioning seasons, and are willing to pay more at the time of purchase so you can reduce your use of electricity. Most high-efficiency air conditioners are two-stage units, which cool efficiently with less on/off cycling, and they all use the more environmentally friendly coolant R-410A instead of R-22 (Freon). However, your home may need ductwork renovations to accommodate these units, which would add to their total cost.
No reviewer tests or compares central air conditioners, nor does anyone evaluate long-term reliability. The best sources we found for general buying advice on high-efficiency central air conditioning are ACCA (Air Conditioning Contractors of America), FurnaceCompare.com, TheGreenGuide.com, and columnist and expert James Dulley.
Our Sources
1. ACCA (Air Conditioning Contractors of America)
The ACCA is a professional association with a membership of more than 4,000 air-conditioning contractors. Articles explain how to choose the right contractor (including a locator tool) and how to install a new system and maintain air-conditioning units.
Review: For Homeowners and Building Managers, Jim Herritage
FurnaceCompare.com includes a comprehensive directory of contractors (sorted by state and city); a subscription lets you read unlimited reports and lasts for 30 days. Brands are rated for average efficiency, but the editors say that efficiency rates aren't related to a unit's quality or durability.
Review: Central Air Conditioners, Editors of FurnaceCompare.com
3. Sensible HomeDetails/Subscribe
Columnist and mechanical engineer James Dulley offers general advice about the most energy-efficient central air conditioners. He hasn't tested any of these units, but he and his research staff evaluate designs and discuss them with the manufacturers' engineers.
Review: 2008 Central AC Models Save Money, the Ozone Layer with Better Comfort, James Dulley, 2008
TheGreenGuide.com (owned by the National Geographic Society) offers a fairly thorough buying guide to central air conditioners, headed with a chart that lists 10 energy-efficient central units.
Review: Air Conditioners (Central), Solvie Karlstrom, June 2007
