Heating and cooling your home accounts for half or more of the money your household spends on utilities, according to the US Department of Energy. If you're in the market for a new cooling system, you obviously want to choose one that makes the best use of your energy dollars. However, energy efficiency is just one of several things you should consider when shopping for a new cooling system.  

Energy star certification

Cooling systems that have an energy star certification on them from the US Department of Energy are the most energy-efficient appliances on the market. Replacing your older cooling system with an energy star certified system can reduce your annual energy bill by more than $115. The sticker on the appliance will also list its SEER rating. The higher the SEER number, the more efficient the system.

Correct sizing

One size doesn't fit all when it comes to cooling systems. You need to match the size and capacity of your cooling system to the size of your living space. Choose a unit that's too small and the system will run continually, trying to keep up to the demand for cooled air. That will cost you more than you need to spend in electricity as well as shorten the lifespan of your system. If the system is too big, it may not run long enough at one time to eliminate the excess moisture in the air.

Type of unit

There are a number of types of cooling systems on the market today. If you live where the temperatures rarely dip below freezing, a heat pump system can both heat and cool your home efficiently by using the naturally-conditioned air surrounding your structure and funneling that leads inside to your living spaces. If you have a small home or a new addition you'd like to cool, a ductless system may be your best bet. These systems hang on the wall and don't rely on often leaky and inefficient duct work.

Rebate offers

There are a number of money saving offers associated with new cooling systems. Be sure to look beyond the manufacturer's rebates and ask about rebates from your local and state government and even your utility company.

There's no one cooling system that will work best for every household. Before you make a final decision on a cooling system, consider the type of unit and size of unit that's best suited for your space, the system's energy efficiency rating and any applicable rebate offers. For more information, talk to a professional like One Hour Air Conditioning and Heating.

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