2 years, 11 months ago
Will adding a window air conditioner actually make my house more efficient?
We have a 2.5 ton system that is borderline too small for the house (1500 sq. ft 2-story), but works well until it gets about 90-95 outside. At that point, the downstairs area stays comfortable but the upstairs gets very hot. We really need a dual split-system A/C, and when we built out upstairs we're going to install that, but that'll be a year or two.
So, given that it's going to be over 90 most days for the next few months, I'm wondering if adding a window air conditioner would actually make my house more efficient.
My thought is that while when both systems are running we would be using more power, but by having more cooling power overall, the large unit would have to run less. Now, it runs probably 16-hours per day nonstop.
Would adding a window unit greatly help efficiency? Or would it just make the upstairs cooler, but not actually save energy?
So, given that it's going to be over 90 most days for the next few months, I'm wondering if adding a window air conditioner would actually make my house more efficient.
My thought is that while when both systems are running we would be using more power, but by having more cooling power overall, the large unit would have to run less. Now, it runs probably 16-hours per day nonstop.
Would adding a window unit greatly help efficiency? Or would it just make the upstairs cooler, but not actually save energy?
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M$1 Answer
Depends quite a bit.
The window unit will cool a local area, but not most of the house
if you use your window AC in a room you use most often, and use that to avoid using the house AC, youll probably be more efficient
if you stick the window AC in the room with the thermostat, it will make that room cooler, the thermostat read cooler, and make the AC work less
so yeah, those are the scenarios i can see it being helpful
The window unit will cool a local area, but not most of the house
if you use your window AC in a room you use most often, and use that to avoid using the house AC, youll probably be more efficient
if you stick the window AC in the room with the thermostat, it will make that room cooler, the thermostat read cooler, and make the AC work less
so yeah, those are the scenarios i can see it being helpful
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
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