Global warming is all over the news nowadays. Carbon dioxide emission is rapidly heating up the climate and if we do not do anything now, it might be too late tomorrow. Now why am I talking about global warming in reference to air conditioners? In addition, what does Energy Star have to do with air conditioners and global warming?

It is estimated that people like you and me to air condition buildings use one-seventh of all the electricity that is generated in the U.S. Electricity is generated either by burning fossil fuels, or by using hydro and nuclear energy. Burning of fossil fuels releases dangerous carbon dioxide into the environment and this is what is heating up the environment. You must be wondering- where is the connection?

Protecting Environment
Energy Star qualified air conditioners meet the guidelines set by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy. When you buy an Energy Star central air conditioner, you are buying a product that has higher seasonal efficiency rating (SEER) than regular models. Now you will say how that helps the environment. Well, higher the SEER the more efficient the central AC is. And the more efficient the system is the lesser energy it will consume. Lesser energy people consume, lesser will be the strain on the environment. So now, you see how everything is interlinked.

Switch To Energy Star
When you buy an Energy Star window unit air conditioner, you are buying a product that is environmental friendly. If you are using ten-year-old model of window AC or portable AC, you should switch to an Energy Star portable air conditioner. With Energy Star air conditioner, you will be using 10 percent less energy for cooling. Energy Star qualified room air conditioners are equipped with timers for better temperature control. Therefore, you will be using minimum energy to cool your room.

Qualified room air conditioners, central ACs, and portable ACs will cost you more than the regular cooling systems; however, you will get back the difference in cost through lower energy bills. In other words, in the end, Energy Star air conditioners are economical.

Since we are going Energy Star all the way, we should also follow Energy Star guidelines for installation and maintenance.

• Have the system installed by professionals
  
• Seal all the leaks to conserve energy
  
• Get the right size AC
  
• Clean the air filters regularly
  
• Check refrigerant level
  
• Clean and adjust blower components
  

With Energy Star, you save money and help protect the environment.