Air Conditioners Haven’t Changed That Much, Have They?

Technology continues to take over so many areas of our daily lives, but air conditioners haven’t really changed that much, have they? Truthfully, while the appearance and way that we use AC systems has remained consistent, AC units have seen some of the most significant advances in home appliances. Over the past 20 years, air conditioners have seen tremendous changes due to advanced technological innovations, regulatory changes and improved design practices. This article explores some of the key changes air conditioning units have undergone in just the last twenty years, or in other words since you may have installed the unit you’re currently using.

Variable-Speed Compressors

Introduced in the mid 1990s, variable-speed compressors were slow to be adopted due to their cost. Modern air conditioners are more likely to use a variable-speed compressor than their single-speed ancestors. This technology allows for air conditioning compressors to adjust their speed to match the cooling demand. This not only improves the overall efficiency of your air conditioning unit, but it reduces energy consumption.

Advanced Inverters Allow For Variable Control of Compressor Motor Speed

When full capacity is not needed air conditioners can operate more efficiently by running at lower speeds by taking advantage of modern inverter technology. This further reduces energy consumption.

Multi-Stage Cooling

Air conditioners with multi-stage cooling capabilities can operate at different capacities. Rather than offering a single stage of cooling by introducing two-stage (or multi-stage) cooling. This increases the precision of temperature and climate control while simultaneously reducing energy usage during low demand periods.

Environmentally Friendly Refrigerants

Older refrigerants, such as R-22, were negatively associated with global warming. Refrigerants used in air conditioning units in the 2020s are regarded as more efficient and more environmentally friendly. These include commonly used refrigerants such as R-410A, and most recently introduced R-32. These newer refrigerants offer better thermodynamic properties and significantly lower global warming potential.

Reduced Refrigerant Needs Through Heat Exchange Design

Advanced heat exchanger designs in modern air conditioning systems reduce the need for refrigerant usage due to their enhanced capabilities. This can be seen in designs that use microchannel heat exchangers.

Smart Technology & Controls

In the 2020s appliances are smart, and your air conditioner should be too. With the inclusion of smart thermostats and advanced control systems energy savings can be maximized. Taking the most precise temperature readings smart technology allows for better management and adaptation to user habits and environmental conditions.

Stricter Regulatory Standards

Government standards have continued to push manufacturers to produce more energy efficient air conditioning units. As a result SEER Ratings have continued to rise. A SEER rating stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, a rating which measures the efficiency of air conditioners. This is pushed by stricter regulatory standards and continually pushed by this highly competitive industry.

Modern Fan Designs

The air conditioner fan is the single element responsible for moving air. Modern fan designs allow for this movement to happen quieter and more efficient than ever. This reduces the power needed in air conditioning operation and the overall power needed for the system quickly cool any space.

Why Now Is The Time To Upgrade Your AC Unit

While repairing an existing AC unit may seem like the best option, when you consider the energy savings of upgrading from an AC unit that was made in the early 2000s to one made in the 2020s an upgrade may be a better option. Considering the advancements in technology, energy consumption, reduced environmental impact, and cost and frequency of repairs for a failing unit there may be no better time than now to upgrade and replace your AC unit.

To learn more about these cost savings compared to mechanical repairs schedule an estimate with the honest air conditioning contractors at No Sweat Air Conditioning.