Summer will soon be over, and this fall, you will be servicing the AC for the last time to get ready for winter.  When the weather is cool, and your AC is off, replacing the air conditioner is a good investment. Older air conditioners are inefficient and often needs frequent repairs. Installing a new AC is a great way to save on energy and cooling costs when hot weather arrives next summer. Here are some of the options that you may want to consider for an energy-efficient AC replacement over the winter months.

1. Ductless AC Systems for Single-Floors and Smaller Homes

The area of your home that needs the AC the most may be a single floor. If this is the case, a ductless AC could be a good solution. Mini-split systems are designed to use one compressor unit (the AC outside) with multiple indoor air handlers, which allows these systems to be used for the AC needs of smaller homes. The spit design allows air conditioning to be added to rooms where cooling is needed the most to provide homes with an efficient zoned air conditioning design.

2. Heat Pump AC Replacement for Energy-Efficient Heating and Cooling

Today, there are also options for AC replacement that can help you save energy on heating and cooling your home. Heat pump air conditioner systems work much like the old unit that you are having replaced, except they add the benefit of being able to provide heating during mild cold weather, which can help greatly reduce heating costs during the cold winter months.

3. Evaporative Cooling Systems and Thermal Storage for More Efficient Heating and Cooling  

In dry climates, electricity is often more expensive, and it can cost a fortune to keep a home cool with conventional AC. Therefore, many homeowners in areas like the Southwest United States use evaporative cooling systems. These are systems that use the cooling effect of liquid-evaporation to provide cooling and use less energy than conventional AC. Evaporative cooling can be combined with conventional AC in hybrid systems that adapt to the outdoor climate for optimal performance. In addition to evaporative cooling, there are also thermal storage solutions that can be used for energy-efficient heating and cooling.

These are some of the options that you will want to consider for an energy-efficient AC replacement this winter. If your old AC is frequently needing repairs, contact your preferred air conditioner service and talk to them about some of these options for replacement.