Rising energy costs and a slowed economy have prompted many consumers to slash their energy budgets in order to conserve financial resources. However, with a hotter-than-average summer approaching, many are wondering how these strategies will fare with their costly cooling systems. In response, Sylvane, a provider of solutions for healthy and comfortable living, reminds us that a lower cooling bill is possible with an energy-efficient portable air conditioner.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the average American household spends more than $2,200 a year in energy costs. Central heating and cooling systems account for roughly half of this estimate. "Many consumers rely primarily on central air conditioners to stay cool during the warmer months, without regard to the high price of continuous operation," said Meg Hellerstedt, president of Sylvane. As an alternative, portable air conditioning can keep you comfortable at a fraction of the cost of a central unit."
Portable air conditioners, such as the C425 and C535 Alen AC units, are designed to cool single rooms. "These appliances help consumers save energy and money by allowing them to shut down their central air conditioning systems and instead cool only the rooms they use the most," Hellerstedt said. "Financially, it doesn't make sense to cool every room in the house if you only spend time in your living room and your bedroom, for instance. Moreover, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, investing in a new, energy-efficient air conditioner can help the average consumer cut their annual cooling bill in half."
To help consumers realize energy- and cost-savings while still remaining comfortable, Sylvane offers a variety of energy-efficient portable ACs. "When shopping for a unit with efficiency in mind, consumers should look for the model's Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) and take note of specialized features designed to allow for better control over energy consumption," said Douglas Zailskas, director of sales for Sylvane. "EER refers to a unit's cooling capacity expressed in BTUs divided by the watts of power used. The basic rule-of-thumb is: the higher the EER rating, the more efficient the unit."
Zailskas' top picks for energy savings include models from industry giants Amcor and Sunpentown. "With an EER of 14.46 – one of the highest in the industry – the Amcor NanoMax cools a 400-sq.-ft. room using minimal energy," he said. "Sunpentown portable air conditioners are also known for their higher-than-average EERs. Namely, the Sunpentown WA-7500M portable AC unit has an impressive EER of 14.0."
Alongside a desirable EER rating, portable ACs that are equipped with energy-saving features – such as programmable timers and thermostats – increase efficiency by giving consumers more control over operation.
"Programmable timers allow you to preset on and off times for up to 24 hours. This prevents unnecessary operation and energy usage, which often occurs when you leave home for the day and forget to turn off the unit," Zailskas said. "Similarly, programmable thermostats initiate automatic temperature-guided cooling. You can use this feature to set your desired temperature and direct the unit to cycle on and off to maintain that temperature while saving power in the process." Soleus Air portable AC units include both of these functions as standard features.
Investing in an energy-efficient portable air conditioner not only helps consumers conserve money and energy – it can also help protect the environment. "We carry a number of models, including four new Haier AC models, that make use of eco-friendly refrigerants, such as R-410A, instead of the ozone-depleting R-22," Hellerstedt said. "This is a trend that is increasing among many portable AC manufacturers as they comply with the worldwide phase-out of chlorofluorocarbon refrigerants."
About Sylvane
Sylvane is a leading online supplier of innovative solutions for healthy and comfortable living. The company provides detailed product information, product comparisons, and personalized consultation on indoor environment and indoor health issues to both the residential and commercial markets. Sylvane’s broad range of solutions includes air quality, heating, cooling, water purification, water damage restoration, natural lighting, and safe cleaning products.
Contact us at 1 (800) 934-9194 or [email protected] for more information or help finding the perfect portable air conditioner for you.
