Using a portable air conditioner could soon be a little cooler on your wallet, thanks to new federal energy efficiency standards proposed this week by the Department of Energy.  This is the first time that the standalone, moveable units that are not permanently installed in walls and windows will be required to operate with at least a minimum level of energy efficiency and savings. Until now, portable air conditioners have never been subject to an efficiency standard, and their performance has fallen behind other types of cooling equipment. Consumer Reports considers this equipment to be the “cooling choice of last resort” because they’re most often used in situations where central air conditioners aren’t present and window units can’t be used and, in some cases, may even heat the room more. All of the mechanical portions of the equipment sit inside the room you’re trying to cool. Since conditioned air from the room is also used to cool the condenser and the hot air is then vented through an exhaust hose out a window, the machinery creates negative pressure in the room you’re cooling.

This means that in some cases, warm air from the outside or other surrounding rooms is brought into the room with the portable air conditioner. Nearly a million portable air conditioners were purchased in 2012, and that number is expected to increase by almost 80 percent by 2018 so the action by the Department of Energy (DOE) is well-warranted. ac power supply inputWhile the proposed standard released this week is a step forward for consumers, it unfortunately leaves a significant amount of potential savings on the table. ac split unit sizeThe standard level chosen by DOE was less stringent than some of the more aggressive (yet still cost-effective) options available. price of a 5 ton ac unitNonetheless, the proposal will still benefit customers who replace their old portable air conditioners: residential customers can expect to save about $144 on their cooling bills over the lifetime of the product, and commercial customers will save almost $300.

Over the next 30 years, DOE says, this standard will save 37.7 million metric tons of carbon pollution, which is equivalent to the annual emissions of nearly 8 million passenger vehicles, all while contributing to President Obama’s commitment to save 3 billion metric tons of carbon emissions from standards by 2030. Standards for other cooling equipment Fortunately, minimum energy-saving requirements are already in place for other products that keep our homes more comfortable in the warm months, such as central air conditioners & heat pumps, room air conditioners, ceiling fans, and dehumidifiers. What’s more, all of these products are scheduled for improved standards because the available technology has advanced sufficiently to ensure they can waste even less energy. To be specific: updated standards for ceiling fans and dehumidifiers, last adopted in 2005 and 2007, are expected to be finalized by later this summer, and the energy-saving rule for room air conditioners is due to be updated next year.

A “negotiated rulemaking” for central air conditioner (and heat pump) standards produced an agreement in January to recommend levels that are 7 percent to 8 percent more efficient than today’s least-efficient models.  In any case, standards for all our cooling appliances ensure that all products meet certain performance criteria while saving money and energy when we purchase and install new models. With the weather getting warmer as we get closer to summer, it’s good to know that energy-saving standards for our cooling equipment will help ensure that our utility bills don’t burn our wallets as the temperature rises. © Natural Resources Defense Council 2016 Privacy PolicyListen, air conditioning systems are meant to keep the home or office cool from within. As the air conditioner gives off cool air, it moves towards the warm areas. Eventually the entire area becomes cool.However, this process takes some time. There are many individuals who believe that they can cool an area by using alternative techniques.

They turn on the air conditioner and open the windows to cool the room faster. One may come across this application of air conditioners quite often. There are many people who believe that this method is efficient. The theory behind leaving the windows open is that the air conditioner will cool the room and the windows will let in fresh air. But this cannot be further away from the truth.It is highly recommended that you close all windows and doors when the air conditioner is turned on. This will keep the cool air inside the room and keep the temperature moderate. In addition to cooling efficiency, leaving the windows open will also put stress on the air conditioner. This is because the open windows let warm air inside. This extra stress may cause the air conditioner to become faulty prematurely.When it is said that the room should be leak-proof, it means that warm air from the outside shouldn't come in.Air conditioners have an automatic system. When you set the cooling level to a specific temperature, the air conditioner starts giving off cool air.

The temperature monitor or thermostat in the AC constantly keeps a check on the room temperature. As soon as the room temperature is up to the level you pre-entered, the AC will turn itself off. As soon as the temperature drops, it will turn on again. This is a feature designed to optimize the AC's performance while providing the cooling you desire. When the temperature in the room reaches the preset level, the AC turns off to make sure that the room is not getting too cold. This keeps the users comfortable. Otherwise, the AC would make the room uncomfortably cold. All air conditioners, regardless of the type, have this feature. You can enter a temperature level and the unit will maintain it.Another reason the AC is designed in a way that it turns off automatically is to conserve power. If an air conditioning unit does not turn off, it will work constantly and spike up your electricity bill.If the air conditioner works excessively:This is why you should make sure that the room is completely sealed.

All air conditioners are rated to cool a specific space. This rating is directly related to the cooling capacity of the AC. If you install the AC in a larger room, it will work harder and use more electricity. In addition, the cooling will also be ineffective. The same concept applies when the windows are left open. In order to make sure that you make the most of your investment, you have to minimize the stress placed on it. You also have to make sure that heat does not enter the room. At the same time, you have to make sure that the cool air does not leak.The best practice is to get a slightly larger cooling rating AC for a smaller room. This will provide efficient cooling and also keep your energy costs down. For instance, if an air conditioner is rated to cool a room which is 125 sq. ft in size, you should use it in a smaller room. This means that the AC is larger than the square footage needs. Not only will it cool the room faster, it will keep it at a moderate temperature. However, if done improperly by getting an AC with a capacity that is far too large for your room, you will have spent unnecessary money.

A large air conditioner will not have to work hard to cool a small room. This way you will be able to keep your maintenance costs low. In addition, since the air conditioner will easily maintain a steady temperature in the room, it will only turn on once in a while. The rest of the time, it will be on standby, monitoring the room for a rise in temperature. This will keep you electricity costs low as well.There are many ways you can keep a room cool. Some of these tips are quite basic and do not require much effort. However, if those tips do not work, you should opt for a more advanced method. Let's look at ways you can keep your room cool:This is one thing you should do on a regular basis. The times of the day when it gets particularly hot, you should draw the curtains or drop the blinds. This will keep the sunlight away from your room. When sunlight does not hit the room, it will remain cool. However, this will only work for areas where the temperature does not spike. Areas that are warmer require a different approach.

Protecting the windows from sunlight can be tricky. Even if you draw the curtains, sunlight will still heat the room if the temperature is too high.In such a scenario, you should consider getting window tints. The window tints may not do a great job on their own, but combined with curtains you could make your home significantly cooler.Windows and doors are not the only place where heat can get into your home. During the day, the entire home can get extremely hot.Parts of your home that absorb heat:When you turn the air conditioner on, the heat from the home will be transferred to the room. This makes the AC work harder and the cooling ineffective. The best way to resolve this issue is insulation.You should insulate your entire home to avoid heat from entering and to keep the cool air in. This will not only keep your air conditioner from working too hard, but will also save you money on utility bills.Not only does insulation keep cooling costs low in summer, it also keeps the heating costs minimal.

Insulation is meant to keep the exterior heat away from your room. Insulation is not only beneficial if you want to keep the home cool. The insulation will also prove helpful in keeping heating costs down.Insulation makes a huge difference to the cooling quality of your air conditioner. It can significantly reduce the stress on your air conditioner and even lower your electricity bills.It is important to check your home for proper insulation. At times, the old insulation becomes ineffective and needs to be replaced. In such a case, there are a few simple checks you can perform:Temperature Fluctuation Between RoomsThe first indication of faulty insulation is temperature fluctuation in different rooms. If you are in one room, go to the other room to check the difference in temperature. In that case, you need to get new insulation. At times the case is simply of an improper insulation type. Once you get the correct type installed, the temperature will stay even.Cold Walls or FloorsInsulation is not only installed in the walls but also the floors and ceiling.

During the winter months, the insulation should keep the temperature of the floor and walls moderate. But if the walls and floor are getting cold, you need insulation immediately. The walls will become colder and you will need to run the heating for longer. This will cause a spike in your heating bill as well.Spike in Cooling or Heating BillsA firm indicator of a faulty insulation is a sudden spike in heating and/or cooling bills. If you are not sure about why your bills spiked, you should hire a professional contractor. They will perform an energy audit to check the insulation in your home.Before you go ahead and get insulation for your home, there are a few things you should know about. The first is how to determine the cost of insulation for your home. Secondly, you will need to figure out the type of insulation you should be using in your home.The cost of insulation varies from home to home. This is because there are many factors to take into account. The first and most important factor to consider is the type of insulation to use.