Solar Has Come to Home Air Conditioners
The commercial air conditioning industry has joined the solar revolution. For those wanting to save on their utility bills and have an air conditioner at the same time, one company has stepped up to provide both to their customers.
Lennox has been an air conditioning leader for decades. They have introduced different systems over the years, and now they have stepped into the forefront of the green air conditioning movement.
They have two residential units that accept power from solar panels. That means air conditioning and heating for your house for free. During times of low sun and at night, it will draw power from the grid. Your bills will be lower because the units are Energy Star rated; with solar power the bills will be lower still.
Even better, the government has mandated all central air conditioning units will be 13.0 SEER or better. SEER stands for seasonal energy efficiency rating. The rating starts at zero and goes up. The higher the number, the better the efficiency, which means lower utility bills.
The Dave Lennox Signature® Collection XC21
This unit is rated at 21 SEER, making it among the most efficient air conditioners on the market. Combine that with solar energy, and you have a definite winner. It is super quiet, rated at 69 dB. A normal conversation is around 60-70 dB. This is not going to deep anyone awake at night. This is the quietest central air conditioning unit on the market today.
The Dave Lennox Signature® Collection XC17
This air conditioning unit received the distinction as one of the most efficient Energy Star products of 2011. Since a multitude of products were recognized as Energy Star qualified, that’s saying a mouthful.
It is rated at 18 SEER, and runs at a seriously quiet 62 dB. To equal a regular air conditioner’s noise, you would need to run 40 of these units at once.
Both of these units can run without solar power. It makes sense to add panels when funds permit with climate changes and ever- rising fuel costs.
Many utility companies subsidize the addition of solar energy in residential housing. Check with local, county and state agencies to determine if you qualify. Tax rebates are available at the local, state and federal levels for installing energy- efficient products, which can help lower the overall purchase and installation price.
One word of advice: if you install one of these air conditioners, take the extra time and expense of insulating, beefing up insulation around doors, windows and the soffits. Have the air ducting system checked, cleaned and sealed.
The air conditioning system is more than just one machine; it’s your house’s circulatory system. The better it is as a whole, the healthier and more comfortable your family will be.
Source: The author of this article has over 40 years of experience in diverse forms of DIY, home improvement and repair, crafting, designing, and building furniture, outdoor projects and more.
